General notes on reading data element completion rules

This version of the UK Trade Tariff, CDS Volume 3, Exports Declaration Completion Guide does not include data elements, declaration completion instructions or code lists used solely for the purposes of claiming CAP export refunds. These will be included in a later version as required.

Data element overview table

The table shown, at the start of each data item, identifies in column:

1. which types of declaration require the completion of the data element (declaration categories)
2. the number and type of characters allowed in the field (field format)
3. the number of times the data element may be used at header level (number of occurrences at header level)
4. the number of times the data element may be used at item level (number of occurrences at item level)

For example:

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B3, B4, C1	a2	1x	99x

Declaration categories

The data element completion rules provided in this document indicate for which types (categories) of declarations the data element is required, for example, data element 1/1 needs to be completed for categories: B1, B2, B3, B4, C1.

The table below explains which categories of declarations these are, for example C1: Export of Re-export Simplified Declaration.

Declaration Categories	Description
A1	Exit Summary Declaration (EXS)
A2	Exit Summary Declaration (EXS) for Express Consignments
B1	Export Standard Declaration or Re-export Standard Declaration
B2	Special Procedures –Declaration for Outward Processing
B3	Declaration for Customs Warehousing of Union goods to claim repayment or remission of export duty. This declaration type is not currently used in the UK. This type will only be introduced if CAP export refunds are re-introduced.
B4	Declaration for dispatch of goods to a Special Fiscal Territory or Territory with which the EU has formed a Customs Union
C1	Export or Re-export Simplified Declaration

For correlation purposes:

• full customs declarations are referred to under the Union Customs Code as standard customs declarations
• the Pre-Shipment Advice (PSA) used under simplified declaration procedure is referred to under the Union Customs Code as a Simplified Declaration
• declaration categories B1, B2 and B4 will be used for the Supplementary Declaration data sets. See the declaration data set tables in Appendix 22: Declaration Category Data Sets for details of the specific data elements to be completed on the supplementary declaration, including any data element exemptions.

Exit Summary (EXS) declaration pre-departure declaration data elements, including those for express consignments

In the UK, currently on CHIEF, the pre-departure EXS data elements are included with the fiscal data elements in a ‘combined’ customs declaration. This will continue to be the case on CDS.

A1 and A2 data requirements are incorporated into the B1, B2, B4 and C1 data sets for the purposes of UK CDS export and re-export pre-departure declarations. These are not used in isolation as a declaration category in their own right.

Where the A1 and A2 data has been provided to CDS pre-departure, the data elements will not require completion on the supplementary declaration. The specific data element completion rules will state whether a supplementary declaration exemption applies.

Data sets to be used for combined declarations

For combined fiscal and EXS declarations, the pre-departure declaration data sets are constructed by combining the following data sets:

For standard declarations:

• B1 plus A1 or A2
• B2 plus A1 or A2

For simplified declarations (formerly referred to as the ‘pre-shipment advice’):

• C1 plus A1 or A2

The B4 declaration data set does not include any EXS data requirements.

Appendix 22: Declaration Category Data Sets provides a detailed breakdown of the specific data elements needed for each declaration category.

There is a separate table in Appendix 22 for each declaration category type, for example B1 data set.

These tables also provide a cross reference from the new data element number to the previous SADH box reference number for correlation purposes.

The data set tables in Appendix 22 also state whether the data element is mandatory in all cases, optional for the declarant or dependant on the circumstances being declared.

The data set tables in Appendix 22: Declaration Category Data Sets will also indicate which EXS data elements may be excluded when making a Supplementary Declaration.

Field format

The column showing field format in the table at the start of each data element indicates the requirements for the data type and the data length. The codes for the data types are as follows:

• a: alphabetic
• n: numeric
• an: alphanumeric

The number following the code indicates the admissible data length.

The following further rules apply:

• if there are no dots between the character type indicator and the length of the field indicator, then the data element has a fixed length and the full number of characters must be completed. For example: a2 indicates that 2 alpha characters must be used
• the optional two dots before the length indicator mean that the data has no fixed length, but it can have up to a number of digits, as specified by the length indicator. For example: an..4 indicates that a up to 4 alpha numeric characters may be used
• a comma in the data length means that the data element can include decimals, the digit before the comma indicates the total length of the data element. The digit after the comma indicates the maximum number of digits that may be used after the decimal point

For example, n16,2 means the maximum field length is 16 digits of which two may be decimal places.

• therefore, if using 2 decimal places a maximum of 14 digits may be declared prior to the decimal place
• if you are not declaring any decimal places, the full 16 digits may be used to indicate the whole number
• you cannot declare 16 digits plus 2 decimal places

Examples of field lengths and formats:

• a1: 1 alphabetic character, fixed length
• n2: 2 numeric characters, fixed length
• an3: 3 alphanumeric characters, fixed length
• a..4: up to 4 alphabetic characters
• n..5: up to 5 numeric characters
• an..6: up to 6 alphanumeric characters
• n..7,2: up to 7 numeric characters in total including maximum 2 decimal places

Where the field specifies Alpha characters only, it must be completed in upper case. For example ‘Field Length a2’ to be completed in capitals, for example, GB.

Data groups

Within the Union Customs Code (EU Reg. No 952/2013 (UCC)) the declaration data elements are grouped into sections:

Group	Description
1	Message information (including Procedure Codes)
2	References of messages, document, certificates and authorisations
3	Parties
4	Valuation information and taxes
5	Dates, times, periods, places, countries and regions
6	Goods identification
7	Transport information (modes, means and equipment)
8	Other data elements (statistical data, guarantees and tariff related data)

Each data element will begin with the number of the data group it belongs to, for example, exporter identification number, which is included under ‘Data Group 3: Parties’ begins with number 3. Its data element number is DE 3/2

Notes

In several cases the following instructions indicate that data elements are to be left blank. Some of these data elements may have been completed on declarations arriving from other Member States. Where that is the case and they are being used as export declarations in this country the information must be allowed to stand – it must not be deleted or erased.

Navigating the CDS tariff declaration completion rules

When completing a CDS Customs Declaration, it is recommended that you:

• begin with the relevant declaration category Table in Appendix 22 for the type of declaration being made, for example, Appendix 22A: Declaration Category Data Sets B1 for a standard export declaration
• the UK Trade Tariff, Volume 2 should then be consulted to find the commodity code to be used for the goods being declared and identify any specific tariff measures which may apply to the commodity code
• the Index list for the 4-digit Procedure Codes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes should then be used to identify the appropriate procedure code to be declared in DE 1/10 for the treatment or use to which the goods will be declared
• the Index List for the Additional Procedure Codes in Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes should be used to identify any supplementary conditions that apply to the intended usage for the goods
• Appendix 4: DE 2/2: Additional Information Statement Codes should then be examined to identify any additional information to be declared, as defined in the Procedure and Additional Procedure Code completion instructions and the UK Trade Tariff: Volume 2 (commodity and procedure code specific requirements)
• Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes should be used to identify any specific documents, licences, certificates or authorisations that need to be declared to export or dispatch the goods
• the main UK Trade Tariff, CDS Volume 3 Export Declaration Completion Guide should then be used, in conjunction with the additional completion instructions provided in appendices 1 and 2 to complete the customs declaration according to the commodity code and the procedures that apply
• the declaration should be completed with continued reference to the appropriate appendices (see the Appendices Index list for details) for the specific data element to identify any specific codes to be used, such as delivery terms and country codes

Data element completion rules

Group 1: Message information (including Procedure Codes)

The acceptance date for Simplified Declaration Procedure (SDP) and Entry in Declarant’s Records (EIDR) supplementary declarations (Additional Declaration Types Y or Z in DE 1/2), should be declared as part of the XML message schema. It does not have a specific data element.

DE 1/1 Declaration type (Box 1: Declaration First Subdivision)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4, C1	a2	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Enter the type of declaration as follows:

Code	Type of declaration
EX	For trade with countries and territories situated outside of the Customs Territory of the Union
CO	Goods being declared for dispatch to a Special Fiscal Territory of the EU or other Territory with which the EU has formed a Customs Union.

Notes

DE 1/1 must be left blank on paper declaration continuation sheets when used.

DE 1/2 Additional declaration type (Box 1: Declaration Second Subdivision)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4, C1	a1	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Used to indicate both the type of declaration and if the goods have been legally presented to Customs or not, for example, arrived. For electronic declarations the code used must be consistent with the CDS transaction being used.

For correlation purposes:

• full Customs declarations are referred to under the Union Customs Code as Standard Customs declarations
• the Pre-Shipment Advice (PSA) used under simplified declaration procedure is referred to under the Union Customs Code as a simplified declaration

Code	Type of declaration	Goods arrived or not
A	Standard customs declaration	Goods arrived
B*	Simplified declaration on an occasional basis	Goods arrived
C	Simplified declaration with regular use (pre-authorised)	Goods arrived
D	Standard customs declaration	Goods not arrived
E*	Simplified declaration on an occasional basis	Goods not arrived
F	Simplified declaration with regular use (pre-authorised)	Goods not arrived
Y**	Supplementary declaration covered by types C and F	Goods arrived
Z**	Supplementary declarations for Entry in Declarants Records	Goods arrived

Where the additional declaration type used in DE 1/2 is: C, F, Y or Z, authorisation to use the Simplified Declaration Procedures (SDP) or Entry in Declarants Records (EIDR) must also be held.

Where the additional declaration type used in DE 1/2 is: A, B or C, authorisation to use CSE must be held.

*The data set to be used for the B and E additional declaration types will be specified in the completion notes for the custom procedure being used. Unless specified in the DE 1/10 and 1/11 Procedure codes notes, types B and E may not be used. See Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for more details.

The data set defined in Appendix 22: Declaration Category Data Sets for the simplified declaration should not be used for the Additional Declaration Types B and E. The data set in Appendix 22D: C1 Simplified Declaration Category Data Set is only for use with Additional Declaration Types C and F.

**Additional declaration types Y and Z must be completed using the appropriate data set for the B1, B2 and B4 standard customs declaration data sets, dependent on the customs procedure being used. Where the A1 and A2 data has been provided to CDS pre-departure, the data elements will not require completion on the supplementary declaration.

The specific data element completion rules will state whether a supplementary declaration exemption applies.

Notes

DE 1/2 must be left blank on paper declaration continuation sheets when used.

DE 1/6 Goods item number (Box 32: Item Number)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	n..3	NA	1x

All declaration categories

Number of the item in relation to the total number of items contained in the declaration where there is more than one item of goods.

Enter in sequential number order, up to a maximum of 999, the goods item number.

Notes

If a declaration is amended and a goods item is removed, the goods item number relating to the removed item cannot be reused.

For example, if on a 12-item declaration, item number 11 is removed in an amendment, then item number 11 cannot be reused for a different goods item on the declaration. Item 12 would also not be re-numbered and remains as item 12.

For paper declarations: Enter the item number (in sequential number order), up to the total declared in DE 1/9 (ex-box 5).

DE 1/7 Specific circumstance indicator

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	an3	1x	NA

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2)

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

All declaration categories

This data element is only required on express consignment pre-departure declarations.

Enter code A20 in DE 1/7 to indicate that the declaration relates to Express Consignments.

DE 1/8 Signature/authentication (Box 54: Place and date, signature and name of the declarant or representative)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..35	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Where, as a result of declaration processing, it is determined that customs will accept a declaration without the need for the presentation of the paper copy, the user identity used to lodge a declaration with CDS will replace the hand-written signature as the authentication credential for that declaration.

The CDS role identified by the user identity will determine the liability for all data transmitted in that declaration. In a paperless environment the user identity will have the same legal status as the hand-written signature on the paper declaration.

Individual liability will rest with the signatory within the company for the use of that credential (for instance, the user identity). If there is to be a change of person who will act as signatory, this must be notified immediately to HMRC in writing, whereupon its records will be updated.

Notes

Authorised signatories

The declaration must be signed according to the following rules. If the exporter is:

• an individual, by that individual or an employee who has been authorised in writing
• a partnership, by one of the partners, or one of their employees authorised in writing by a partner
• a company incorporated in the UK under the companies acts, by a director or the company secretary, or an employee of the company authorised in writing by a director or the company secretary
• a corporation incorporated in the UK by statute, by a person authorised by law to sign for the corporation, or an employee of the corporation authorised in writing by such a person
• a foreign firm or company, or a corporation incorporated abroad by statute, by a person authorised by the law of the country in which the firm or company, is established

Alternatively, the declaration may be signed on behalf of the exporter by any firm, company or individual to whom the exporter has given the authority to act as a declarant for customs purposes.

The manner of authorisation is a matter of arrangement between exporters and their declarant but, in giving authority to a declarant, the exporter will be assumed to have given authority to the clerks and servants authorised by the agent to carry out all of the exporter’s customs business.

Customs may at any time require evidence that a declarant has been authorised by an exporter to sign declarations on the exporter’s behalf.

Paper declarations

Where paper-based declarations are concerned, the original of the handwritten signature of the person concerned must be given on the copy of the declaration which is to remain at the office of export, followed by the full name of that person. Where that person is not a natural person, the signatory should add his capacity after his signature and full name.

In signing DE 1/8, a legal declaration is being made that the details shown on the form and any continuation sheets are true and complete and that the requirements of any national or Union legislation have been met.

When a declaration partly completed in another member state is being used as the export declaration, the person signing DE 1/8 is committing themselves to the accuracy of all the information on the form, including that which was already completed when they received the document.

Use of representatives or agents to submit the declaration on the exporter’s or legal declarant’s behalf

Article 5(15) of Council Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013 (Union Customs Code (UCC)) defines the legal declarant as:

‘The person lodging a customs declaration in his or her own name or the person in whose name such a declaration is lodged.’

Where the legal declarant (for example, exporter) is completing the declaration themselves under ‘self-representation’, they shall be liable for the content of all declarations so completed and submitted.

Article 18 of EU Reg. No. 952/2013 (UCC) permits customs representatives to be appointed to act on another person’s behalf. This representation may be:

• Direct: the representative acts in the name and of behalf of the other person. The liability rests with the original party (usually the exporter). This is dependent on the representative holding appropriate evidence of their empowerment to act on behalf of the original party and can demonstrate that the original party’s instructions have been followed
• Indirect: the representative acts in their own name but on behalf of another person. The liability is held jointly and severally between both parties

Article 5(6) of EU Reg. No. 952/2013 (UCC)) defines a representative as:

‘Any person appointed by another person to carry out the acts and formalities required under the customs legislation in his or her dealings with customs authorities.’

Direct representation

Where the representative or agent is acting as a ‘direct’ representative, in the name of and on behalf of another person and is transmitting the declaration under the representative’s or agent’s own user identity, the representative or agent must hold (and be able to produce on request to customs) written authority of their powers to act.

Failure to do so will result in liability resting with the representative.

In this example, the representative’s details would be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity). The representative status declared in DE 3/21 would show Direct, code ‘2’.

Direct representation and sub-agents:

Where a representative or agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, and the sub-agent submits the declaration on behalf of the first agent but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential; the sub-agent must hold (and be able to produce on request to customs) written authority to act and the instructions provided for the completion of the declaration’s particulars.

Failure to produce written authority will result in liability resting with the sub-agent. The sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party. The representative retains responsibility for ensuring the declaration is made in accordance with the instructions provided by the exporter.

Indirect representation

Where the representative or agent is acting as an ‘indirect’ representative in their own name, but on behalf of another person, both parties accept joint liability for all data transmitted under the user identity.

A representative or agent failing to state the level of representation on the electronic declaration will be deemed to be acting in their own name and on their own behalf.

In this example, the representative’s details would be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity). The Representative status declared in DE 3/21 would show Indirect, code ‘3’.

Indirect representation and sub-agents:

Where a representative or agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, in an ‘indirect’ capacity on behalf of the first agent (but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential), then the sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party.

The representative retains joint and several liability with the exporter for the customs debt.

DE 1/9 Total number of items (Box 5: Items)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	n..3	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Enter the total number of items declared on the customs declaration. The number of items must correspond to the total number of ‘description of goods’ (DE 6/8) completed.

The maximum number of items that is to be entered is 999. If there are more than 999 items, then further declarations must be submitted for the balance of the items.

Notes

If a declaration is amended and a goods item is removed, the ‘total number of items’ data element must be amended to declare the new total.

For example, if on a 12-item declaration, item number 11 is removed in an amendment, then the total number of items must be updated to declare 11. However, as explained under DE 1/6 item 12 must not be re-numbered.

For paper declarations: Any ‘description of goods’ (DE 6/8) data elements on the declaration continuation sheets which are not used must be crossed through.

DE 1/10 Procedure (Box 37: Procedure)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an4 Requested procedure code: an2 + Previous procedure code: an2	NA	1x

All declaration categories

Enter the appropriate (4-digit) Procedure Code from those detailed in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes.

Use the Procedure Code index list and their completion notes to help you identify the correct code to use and for guidance on how to complete the declaration.

Only one 4-digit Procedure Code can be declared against each goods item in DE 1/10, however, this may be tailored to the specific circumstances for the goods treatment by the use of multiple Additional Procedure Codes in DE 1/11.

The 4-digit Procedure Code is made up using:

• the first and second digits which indicate the requested procedure: the customs procedure to which the goods are being entered
• the third and fourth digits which indicate the previous procedure: the customs procedure from which the goods are being removed. 00 as the third and fourth digits indicate that the goods have not been subject to any previous procedure

The use of a Procedure Code in this data element constitutes a formal declaration that the conditions of the relevant regulations (including but not restricted to):

• Council Regulation (EU) 952/2013
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 and
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447

Will be complied with and binds the legal declarant accordingly.

Entry under a DE 1/10 Procedure Code is an undertaking by the exporter or representative to produce on demand by an officer of HMRC, commercial documentation as verification that the goods have been declared appropriately.

Entry under a DE 1/10 Procedure Code is an undertaking by the exporter or representative to pay to the Commissioners of HMRC immediately on demand any duties or other charges due in respect of the goods in question if the conditions of the customs procedure are not met.

Representatives or agents must have prior written approval from the legal declarant (holder of the procedure) to enter goods to a specific procedure on their behalf and must ensure a copy of the declaration is returned to the holder of the procedure.

Notes

Procedure Codes may only be declared with the relevant declaration category, as defined in the table below.
Procedure Codes used on a customs declaration must all be from the same declaration category, for example a Procedure Code from B1 may not be combined with a Procedure Code from B2 on the same customs declaration.

Declaration Categories	Declaration title	Allowable Requested Procedure Codes (Digits 1 and 2)
B1	Export declaration and re-export declaration	10, 11, 23, 31
B2	Special procedure — processing — declaration for outward processing	21, 22
B4	Declaration for dispatch of goods in the context of trade with Special Fiscal Territories or other Territories with which the EU has formed a Customs Union	10
C1	Export Simplified declaration	10, 11, 23, 31

For goods being removed from a customs warehouse or free zone

• removed from the same dispatching customs warehouse or free zone (declared in DE 2/7 (Identification of warehouse)) and
• have the previous procedure code of 71 or 78 (as the third and fourth digit) in DE 1/10 (Procedure Code)

For goods being removed from an excise warehouse:

• removed from the same excise warehouse (declared in DE 2/7 (identification of warehouse)) and
• have the previous procedure code of 07 (as the third and fourth digit) in DE 1/10 (Procedure Code)

Separate declarations are required for goods being removed from different warehouses. The DE 1/10 Procedure Code notes explain these restrictions in more detail.

DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code (Box 37: Procedure)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an3 Union codes: a1 + an2 OR National codes: n1 + an2	NA	99x

All declaration categories

Enter the appropriate (3 digit) Additional Procedure Code from Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes, using the relevant Additional Procedure Code index list and completion notes to help you complete the declaration.

Up to 99 Additional Procedure Codes may be declared against each goods item in DE 1/11.

Declarants must follow the guidance on code compatibility in the UK Trade Tariff to prevent incompatible codes being declared, which will result in the rejection of a declaration.

Where a single goods item comprises of both Union and National codes declared in DE 1/11, any Union Codes (beginning with a letter) must be declared first.

An index list and individual completion notes for the Union Additional Procedure Codes may be found in Appendix 2A: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes: Union Codes.

An index list and individual completion notes for the National Additional Procedure Codes may be found in Appendix 2B: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes: National Codes.

The use of an Additional Procedure Code in this data element constitutes a formal declaration that the conditions of the relevant regulations (including but not restricted to):

• Council Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2446 and
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447

Will be complied with and binds the legal declarant accordingly.

Entry under a DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code is an undertaking by the exporter or representative to produce on demand by an officer of HMRC, commercial documentation as verification that the goods have been declared appropriately.

Entry under a DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code is an undertaking by the exporter or representative to pay to the Commissioners of HMRC immediately on demand any duties or other charges due in respect of the goods in question if the conditions of the customs procedure are not met.

Representatives or agents must have prior written approval from the legal declarant (holder of the procedure) to enter goods to a specific procedure on their behalf and must ensure a copy of the declaration is returned to the holder of the procedure.

Notes

For goods being removed from a customs warehouse or free zone:

• removed from the same dispatching customs warehouse or free zone (declared in DE 2/7 (Identification of Warehouse)) and
• have the previous procedure code of 71 or 78 (as the third and fourth digit) in DE 1/10 (Procedure Code)

For goods being removed from an excise warehouse:

• removed from the same excise warehouse (declared in DE 2/7 (identification of warehouse)) and
• have the previous procedure code of 07 (as the third and fourth digit) in DE 1/10 (Procedure Code)

Separate declarations are required for goods being removed from different warehouses. The DE 1/10 Procedure Code notes explain these restrictions in more detail.

Group 2: References of messages, document, certificates and authorisations

DE 2/1 Simplified declaration or previous documents (Box 40: Declaration or Previous Document)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Document category: a1 + Previous document type: an..3 + Previous document reference: an..35 + Goods item identifier: n..3	9999x	99x

This data element must always be completed to identify a previous declaration or previous document(s). It is mandatory on all pre-departure and supplementary declarations.

All declaration categories

A previous declaration, or document, is identified by class, type, reference and the goods item number. The goods item number element in DE 2/1 may be omitted where the previous document comprised a single goods item.

It consists of an alphanumeric (an..42) code.

For exports the Master Unique Consignment Reference (MUCR) must be declared in DE 2/1 using the Previous Document Type code ‘MCR’.

The DUCR and any DUCR part numbers must be declared in DE 2/1 using the Previous Document Type codes ‘DCR’ and ‘DCS’ respectively.

For exports, the MUCR (using code MCR) and the DUCR (using code DCR) must always be declared at header level.

Other previous document types may be declared at header or item level.

Previous document types, other than MCR and DCR, should only be declared at header level where they apply to every goods item on the declaration.

The Procedure Code completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes give guidance on the codes expected to be used in specific circumstances for the procedure concerned. They are not a definitive guide however and should be read in conjunction with the full list provided in Appendix 3: DE 2/1: Previous Document Codes.

Each code to be declared in DE 2/1 is made up of four components:

First component: Document category (a1)

The first component (a1) consists of a letter and is used to distinguish between the two categories mentioned below:

• the simplified declaration or the entry in the declarant’s records, represented by ‘Y’
• the previous document, represented by ‘Z’

For example: Y (to represent simplified procedures).

Second component: Previous document type (an..3)

The second component (an..3), consists of a combination of either digits or letters, or both, serves to identify the type of document:

• choose the appropriate code from the list in Appendix 3: DE 2/1: Previous Document Codes.

For example, code: SDE (to represent the export simplified declaration).

Third component: Previous document reference (an..35)

The third component (an..35) represents the data needed to recognise the document. Enter:

• The identification number or another recognisable reference of the document

For example, the MRN of the previous simplified declaration.

Fourth component: Goods item identifier (n..3)

The fourth component (n..3) is used to identify which item of the previous document is being referred to:

• the goods item number on the exit summary declaration (EXS), simplified declaration, entry in records or other previous document
• this should be separated from the document reference number by ‘-‘

For example: 2 (to identify that this reference refers to the second item on the previous document).

Where the previous document referred to contained only a single goods item, this component may be left blank.

Notes

References applicable to all items must be entered at header level, with a maximum number of 9,999 instances, with the exception of the MUCR and DUCR which must always be declared at header level for exports.

References not applicable to all items should be declared at item level, with a maximum number of 99 instances. On paper declarations: the details are separated with a dash in the format < class > – < type > – < reference > – < goods item number > (for example, Z-380-12345-1).

If removed from warehouse or IP insert the document identity (for example, MRN that entered the goods to that procedure).

Due to compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), only the first 9 instances will be submitted to ECS (where applicable).

MUCR consolidation

The Master UCR or MUCR must be declared at header level using previous document type code MCR.

Whereas a declaration UCR directly relates to an individual CDS declaration, master UCRs are normally used to associate or link several declaration UCRs. For example, when a container holds a number of consignments from different exporters, each of whom has a DUCR.

Rather than quoting many individual DUCRs for each consignment or consolidators, the inventory systems can advise CDS that each of the declaration UCRs in the container is associated with a single Master UCR.

Master UCRs can be associated with other Master UCRs. Although a Master UCR can be associated with one or many declaration UCRs a declaration UCR can only belong to one Master UCR.

Association can be done:

• at the time of declaration by advising the declaration UCR and master UCR on the declaration
• by an explicit association transaction through which one can also:
  • dis-associate a UCR from a Master UCR
  • associate a Master UCR or Declaration UCR with a (higher level)
• by authorised traders (such as loaders and inventory systems) on arrival (anticipated and/or actual) at a border location-by providing the declaration UCR and Master UCR in the arrival message

The MUCR should only be completed according to the commercial rules for that type of ether traffic or location, or both. For example, in the air environment would normally be the Master or Simple Air Waybill number or for approved courier traffic the CBV (Courier Baggage Voucher) reference.

Format of the MUCR

Master UCR (MUCRs) have one of the formats listed below

For Air

Use A:

• either 3 alpha characters
• a maximum of 8 numbers
• a maximum length of 13 characters overall

For courier traffic

Use C:

• 3 alpha characters
• at least 4 more alphanumeric

The courier MUCR must be at least 8 numbers long.

Other MUCR formats

• GB/iii-s…s – GB = country, then followed by 3 characters identifying the inventory system and then at least another 5 alpha/numeric characters (minimum 12 characters in total)
• GB/iiii-s…s – same as above yet with 4-character inventory reference (minimum 13 characters in total)
• GB/EORI-s…s – GB, followed by the slash, then a valid EORI, hyphen and then at least one alpha or numeric character

The rules about what other characters are allowed in a MUCR are the same as for DUCR, for example restricted to numbers, upper case letters and certain special characters viz. 0 to 9, A to Z, -, (and).

If a MUCR is entered, then a DMS message must also be submitted to shut the consolidation once all the declarations have been associated with the MUCR.

DUCR completion rules:

The declaration UCR or DUCR must be declared at header level using previous document type code DCR.

A DUCR and an optional part reference must be unique and should comply with the rules and format as detailed in the ‘Recommended Format of the DUCR’ section below.

The declaration of a DUCR is mandatory for all declarations. The same DUCR must be supplied on all linked declarations, for example a simplified declaration with its supplementary declaration.

It is important that simplified procedure traders enter their own declaration UCR numbers (DUCRs) into DE 2/1 Simplified Declaration/Previous Document (third component using previous document type code ‘DCR’) as these are used to provide the audit trail between the initial declarations (simplified declaration and EIDR entry), the linked supplementary declarations and any commercial documents.

The DUCR/Part is the main reference to the CDS declaration for simplified procedures purposes and can incorporate commercial references so that there is a single reference for accessing all related information in trade and customs computer systems. The DUCR must contain the EORI number of the simplified procedures authorised trader.

DUCR part numbers

On supplementary declarations enter the related DUCR/Part (s) for the linked simplified declarations and EIDR entries (initial declarations) using previous document type code ‘DCS’.

If a supplementary declaration covers more than one initial declaration, use the DUCR/Part of the first initial declaration as the DUCR/Part for the supplementary declaration at header level.

The DUCR/Parts of each of the other initial declarations are to be declared as separate ‘DCS’ previous documents in DE 2/1, against the corresponding items at item level.

Recommended format of DUCR

The recommended format of the DUCR reference number in the UK is the WCO format, which is created from the following components:

• ‘Year’ – is the year in which the DUCR was allocated. For example, ‘9’ if allocated in 2019, ‘0’ if allocated in 2020 and ‘1’ if allocated in 2021. Therefore, for the year 2019, ensure the year component of the DUCR entered onto the Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates (PEACH) advance notification contains the single ‘9’ digit and not ‘19’. In 2020, enter the year as a single ‘0’ digit and not ‘20’
• ‘Country’ – is the country where the DUCR was allocated.
• ‘EORI’ – is the identity of the trader as known to HMRC. In the UK this is the 12-character EORI number. This must be the EORI number of the simplified procedures authorised trader
• ’-‘ – is a dash
• ‘Reference’ – is a unique series of characters that the trader, whose EORI number is included in the DUCR, devises and which provides an audit trail within traders’ commercial records. This component of the DUCR is restricted to numbers, upper case letters and certain special characters

An example DUCR is as follows: ‘9GB000000000000-12345’.

This example DUCR would have been issued in 2019, in the UK, for an EORI number ‘000000000000’, and with a trader reference number of ‘12345’.

DE 2/2 Additional Information (Box 44)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Coded version (Union codes): n1 + an4 OR (National codes): a1 + an4 OR Union/National code followed by a free text information: an..70	NA	99x

All declaration categories

Enter either any Union or National codes, or both, which apply followed by any free text information for the Additional Information (AI) code as required. See Appendix 4: DE 2/2: Additional Information Statement Codes for details of the codes which may be used, including any additional free text information which may be required by the specific AI codes.

Up to 99 AI codes can be declared at item level in DE 2/2.

Where a single goods item comprises of both Union and National AI codes declared in DE 2/2, any Union Codes (beginning with a number) must be declared first.

The Procedure Code and Additional Procedure Code completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes give guidance on the AI codes expected to be used in specific circumstances for the procedure concerned.

They are not a definitive guide however and should be read in conjunction with the full list provided in Appendix 4: DE 2/2: Additional Information Statement Codes.

Notes

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), the free text information component of this data element is restricted to ‘an..70’.

Further information

For further information on specific customs export procedures and the use of the following AI codes, refer to:

• UK Trade Tariff, CDS Volume 3, Exports, Part 2 for more information
• Notice 275
• Notice 197
• Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and
• Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for more details

Notes on specific Union Additional Information Codes

Single Transport Contract (Union AI code ‘30500’)

EU law allows indirect export movements to be processed outside of the Export Control System (ECS) messaging system under a Single Transport Contract (STC).

A STC is a contract of carriage of goods cut from where the export starts to where the export ends (for example from Dublin to Shanghai). The fact that it may move through Other Member State (OMS) on a number of different transport modes to make this journey and exit in, for example, the UK does not matter.

The only condition attached to a STC is that it cannot exit the EU by road.

Exporters are required to specify that their goods are travelling under STC. The export declaration must include the Additional Information (AI) code: ‘30500’ in DE 2/2 and D/E 5/12 Office of Exit should show the office of exit as the customs office competent for supervising the goods at the time they were placed under the STC.

For instance, the customs office of where the goods were placed under the STC, as per Article 329(7), Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447.

Where the office of exit is populated by the inventory system, DE 5/12 (Office of Exit) may be left blank.

If the Customs authority at the point of exit in another Member State requests information on the STC consignment, the carrier must provide one of the following:

• the MRN of the export declaration
• a copy of the single transport contract for the goods concerned
• the unique consignment reference number or the transport document reference number. (Where goods are presented in packages the number of packages must be provided. Where goods are presented in containers the container identification number must be provided)

Notes on specific National Additional Information Codes

The following declaration elements, previously declared as free text in box-44 of the SAD should be declared to CDS using an AI statement code and be declared, as required, in DE 2/2.

Premises (National AI code ‘PREMS’)

If the premises code in DE 2/7 (Identification of Warehouse) is that of a UK allocated warehouse or Free Zone, do not complete a AI code in DE 2/2 using the code: PREMS unless specifically instructed to do so by the Procedure Code completion notes, see Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes or details.

Insert the full name and address of the premises when:

• DE 2/7 (Identification of Warehouse) does not identify a UK allocated warehouse or Free Zone or
• where otherwise directed by customs (see Procedure Code completion notes)

Enter the premises country code as a suffix to the premises name and address separated by a ‘-‘.

Export process where Transit procedure follows the export procedure (National AI code ‘TRANS’)

All goods for export must obtain Customs clearance or ‘Permission to Progress’ (P2P) from CDS. Where it is required that the goods must remain under Customs control on one of the transit procedures, they must subsequently be declared to the Transit (NCTS) system. See the UK Trade Tariff, CDS Volume 3, Exports, Part 2 for more information.

When using Transit to move exported goods, the exporter or declarant should input the AI code: ‘TRANS’ into DE 2/2 of the export declaration and D/E 5/12 Office of Exit should show the office of exit as the customs office of departure of the transit operation, as per Article 329(5), Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447, except for goods moving in excise duty suspense.

For excise suspense goods, the office of exit must be shown as the office where it is intended the goods will leave the territory of the EU, as per article 329(8) of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447.

Where the office of exit is populated by the inventory system, DE 5/12 (Office of Exit) may be left blank.

Registered consignor (National AI code ‘RCONR’)

Enter the UK trader’s EORI no. as an AI statement in DE 2/2 AI Statement using the code RCONR.

Where a foreign company (for example, one not registered in the UK) takes ownership of goods before export, although the foreign company will be responsible for the export (including obtaining customs clearance of the goods) it is the UK company who has to provide evidence of export to justify zero rating the supply for VAT purposes.

In these situations, to help the UK trader in obtaining this evidence of export, enter the UK traders EORI number (without any GB prefix) in this data element.

Excise Registered Consignor (National AI code ‘ECONR’)

Enter the Excise Registered Consignor’s identification number (for example, EORI or other identifier) as an AI statement in DE 2/2 AI Statement using the code ECONR.

EMCS is an EU wide electronic system for recording and validating movements of duty-suspended excise goods within the EU. Authorised warehouse keepers and registered consignors moving duty-suspended excise goods must register and enrol for EMCS.

The e-AD (ARC) should be entered in DE 2/3 as a document code reference using code C651 and the TRANS Code entered in DE 2/2 as an AI statement.

Where goods are under duty suspension (including goods in excise suspension) and DE 2/2 TRANS code is used. For excise suspense goods, the office of exit must be shown as the office where it is intended the goods will leave the territory of the EU, as per article 329(8) of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447.

For excise duty paid goods, the customs office of exit should be declared in accordance with the standard completion rules outlined in DE 5/12 Customs office of exit.

Where the office of exit is populated by the inventory system, DE 5/12 (Office of Exit) may be left blank.

DE 2/3 Documents produced, certificates and authorisations, additional references and DE 8/7 Writing off (B1 and C1 only) (Box 44)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Document type (Union codes) a1 + an3 + OR (national codes): n1 + an3 + Document identifier and part: an..35 + (document identifier: an..30, part: an..5) Document Status: a2 + Reason: an..35 + Issuing authority name: an..70 + Date of validity: n8 (yyyymmdd) + Measurement unit and qualifier, if applicable: an..4 + Quantity: n..16,6	NA	99x

For declaration category B1 and C1 only

Writing off details are only required on a B1 and C1 declaration.

Writing off details are only required on a C1 where the document requires control and endorsement pre-departure, for example., licensable goods. Where the document has been endorsed on the simplified declaration, an appropriate document status code, should be declared on the supplementary declaration to prevent the document being further endorsed or exhausted,see Appendix 5B: DE 2/3: Document Status Codes for details.

DE 2/3 and 8/7 requirements are combined for the purposes of completing the declaration. The details for writing off are to be declared alongside the document code details as a single data element.

All declaration categories

Enter either any Union or National, or both, codes which apply followed by any additional information required by the specific code.

The UK Trade Tariff, will identify any specific measures and document codes which may be required by the specific commodity code declared in DE 6/14, 6/16 and 6/17.

Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes contains details of all reference codes which may be declared in this data element, a description of their usage and provides guidance on the details to be declared against each code.

The Procedure Code and Additional Procedure Code completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes give guidance on the document codes expected to be used in specific circumstances for the procedure concerned.

They are not a definitive guide however and should be read in conjunction with the full list provided in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

Where a single goods item comprises of both Union and National codes declared in DE 2/3, any Union Codes (beginning with a letter) must be declared first.

This data element can only be declared at item level.

Up to 99 documents produced, certificates, authorisations and additional reference codes can be declared in DE 2/3 for each goods item.

Each document type code has eight components: not all components are mandatory for all document codes.

First Component: Document Type Code (an4) mandatory for all document codes declared

The first component is a 4 figure Document Type Code. See Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes for a list of document codes which should be declared in specific circumstances.

The Document Code appendix should be read in conjunction with Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for information on which Document Codes should be declared in order to use specific customs procedures.

Second Component: Document Identifier and Part (an..35), see additional notes on the second components format for licences in the section below

The second component comprises of two sub-components.

Sub-component 1: Document Identifier (an..30) mandatory for all document codes declared

This sub-component is the document identifier. This is the reference number, as specified against the document type code in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes. This must identify the unique document, authorisation, licence or certificate being declared.

Sub-component 2: multi line document (document part) (an..5) conditional, see the specific document code completion notes for details

Enter the line item (part) as required for the particular document.

For example, some licences cover many products with each defined as a line. The document part sub-component is used to identify the line number when required.

If omitted it defaults to 1 and the attribution applies to the first (or only) line of the licence. The line item number of the document is to be appended to the document identifier (completed in the first sub-component) separated by a dash (-).

For example: X0021234/16-3.

Third component: document status code (a2) conditional, see the specific document code completion notes for details

The third component is a document status code (a2). A full list of the document status codes may be found in Appendix 5B: DE 2/3: Document Status Codes.

The document status code should be declared, as specified, by each document code.

The specific document status codes which may be used with each document code is specified in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

Certain document type codes (for example, authorisation numbers) will not usually require a status code to be declared and where applicable this is specified against the document code in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

Other document codes may be restricted in the document status codes which may be used, these are specified in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

Fourth component: Reason (an..35) conditional, see the specific document code completion notes for details

Enter a free text description of the reason where required by the document status code.

Where the export goods are subject to specific measures, a reason description should be entered in the fourth component of DE 2/3.

A reason must be supplied for some status values. For example: Status code UP, reason entered ‘eaten by dog, replacement in post’.

Fifth Component: Issuing Authority (an..70) conditional, see the specific document code completion notes for details

Enter a free text description of the Issuing Authority. This should be specific enough to identify the governing body responsible for issuing the licence or certificate.

Sixth Component: Date of Validity, if required (n8) conditional,

The date of validity, if required, must be entered in the following date format: yyyymmdd.

Licences and non-preference certificates:

The date to be declared is the expiry date for the licence or certificate. Where the document code for the licence or certificate is listed in Appendix 5C: DE 2/3: Document and Other Reference Codes: Licence Types, a date of validity must always be declared.

Preferential Proofs of Origin

For preferential proofs of origin (for example, EUR.1, GSP, invoice declarations, statements of origin), the date, if required to be declared, is the date of issue.

Seventh component: Measurement unit and qualifier, if applicable: an..4 + conditional, see the specific document code completion notes for details

This is only required where a specific quantity and measurement type has to be decremented against a specific document. For example, a licence has been issued for a total quantity of liquids in litres.

Where the specific document requires either a measurement unit or qualifier, or both, to be declared, enter the appropriate code for the commodity’s or document’s measurement unit type using the list provided in Appendix 20: DE 8/7 and 4/4: Measurement Unit Codes.

For example, if the document requires a quantity in litres, enter the measurement unit code of LTR. The quantity of litres being declared should be entered against the eighth component: quantity.

If no quantity or measurement unit/ qualifier is required, this data element should be omitted.

Eighth component: Quantity (n..16,6)

Enter the quantity being attributed to the specific document identifier (second component).

Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 6 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters available for this component. For example, if 3 decimal places are used, then only 13 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.

For example, if the document requires a quantity in litres, the measurement unit code of LTR will have been entered in the seventh component (measurement unit), followed by the quantity of litres being declared as a value here, in the eighth component, for example, 12.05.

Authorisation for customs procedures

If two or more procedures apply (for example OP and IP) the details for each should be entered as separate document references.

Authorisations are declared as a document reference in DE 2/3, using a document code from the list in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes. The authorisation should be declared in the format outlined in the example below.

For example, CSE:

Document Code	Document identifier: country code	Document identifier: authorisation type code	Document identifier: authorisation number
C676	GB	CSE	The CSE approval number

Enter the authorisation document reference held to use a customs procedure. This code consists of:

• Document Code an4
• Country Code a2;
• Decision type an..4;
• Unique identifier for the decision an..29

The corresponding EORI number of the authorisation holder should be declared against the appropriate authorisation type code in DE 3/39.

Authorisation document codes and authorisation holder EORI numbers in DE 2/3 and DE 3/39 are only required where a full authorisation is held.

The Procedure Code and Additional Procedure Code completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes give guidance on the minimum authorisation document codes required to be used in specific circumstances for the procedure concerned.

They are not a definitive guide however and should be read in conjunction with the full list provided in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

Documents, licences and certificates

A list of the applicable licence types and the document code to be used for each type may be found in Appendix 5C: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes: Licence Types.

The list of applicable licence and certificate codes which may be used for exports can be found in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

Status codes for documents, licences and certificates

Each document code will specify the types of document status codes which may be used for the specific licence or certificate.

A status code must always be declared for these types of documents. Enter the appropriate status code for the type of licence from the list of the document status codes which may be found in Appendix 5B: DE 2/3: Document Status Codes.

The status must be permitted for the licence type and the commodity. The details of the specific status codes which may be used for each licence type will be specified against the relevant document code in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

#	Electronic	Paper (held by Trader): attached	Paper (held by Trader): not attached	Held by issuing authority
Part attribution, for instance, licence still valid and will be used in future	EP*	AP	UP	IP
Surrendered, for instance, licence still valid but will not be used in future	ES	AS	US	IS
Exhausted, for instance, nil balance	EE**	AE	UE	IE
Already attributed on simplified declaration	EA	JA	UA	IA
‘Late’ declaration after licence removed from CDS	EL
Below de minimis	XB	XB	XB	XB
Waiver claimed	XW***	XW	XW	XW
Goods covered by the commodity code do not require a licence (ex-heading)	XX	XX	XX	XX

*Status Code EP

Stats code EP, dependent on the quantities declared against the goods item and available quantities remaining on the licence will also exhaust the licence, preventing its further usage.

**Status Code EE

This will exhaust the licence and should only be used where the specific goods item being declared will exhaust the licence in its entirety.

Using status code EE will prevent the licence from being available for use on any subsequent goods items or declarations. Status code EE should only be used in instances where the specific goods item being declared will exhaust the licence in its entirety.

***Status Code XW

Where a licence waiver is being claimed, enter ‘XW’ as the status code and provide the reason for the waiver in the fourth component: Reason (an..35) of DE 2/3.

Department for International Trade

The declaration that the goods are subject to the Open General Export Licence is not required except for sensitive goods. All licences should be declared regardless if goods are sensitive. There is no longer a requirement to declare RPTID.

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) export licences

It is necessary to declare separately the RPA authorisation and the licence or certificate numbers.

In DE 2/2 (Additional Information) enter the authorisation code ‘RPTID’ followed by the RPA Registration Number.

The appropriate document code for the licence/certificate from Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes must be declared with its associated reference number. This will need to be declared as a separate item in DE 2/3.

Document reference or identifier and part for licences (second component)

All declaration categories

Enter the document reference or identifier and part, format: an..35.

The Document Reference for a licence is formatted: < country code > < licence type > < licence identifier > – < Part > .

Only enter a separator between the licence identifier and the part number. The licence identifier is not supplied when the status identifies that a particular licence is not being declared.

< country code > For all UK government department or agency issued licences/AFCs/ permits (including those which were originally issued in another member state, but which were subsequently re-issued – including any ‘extracts’ – by a UK government department/agency) enter ‘GB’.   For licences issued in another member state enter the relevant country code, for example for France enter ‘FR’.

< licence type > as identified in Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes.

< licence identifier > enter the licence identifier allocated by the issuing authority. If the licence does not have a reference enter the title of the licence. A licence identifier is not supplied when the status identifies that a particular licence is not being declared (for instance, status code is in the x-series).

Notes

Beneficiary countries of the EU GSP will progressively start to apply the Registered Exporter (REX) system, replacing the current system of origin certification based on Form A certificates or invoice declarations for low value consignments with Statements of Origin.

By 30 June 2020, all GSP proofs of preferential origin will be made using a Statement of Origin. Refer to the published guidance on REX for more information.

DE 2/4 Reference Number/ UCR (Box 7: Reference Number)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..35	1x	1x

For exports, the MUCR and DUCR, using Previous Document Type codes MCR and DCR respectively, must be declared in DE 2/1, Previous Documents. Use that data element for completion rules.

All declaration categories

This data element is for optional use by the declarant to record a commercial reference for their own purposes.

The format of the reference number may take the form of the WCO DUCR, which is created from the following components:

• ‘Year’ – is the year in which the DUCR was allocated. For example, ‘9’ if allocated in 2009, ‘0’ if allocated in 2010 and ‘1’ if allocated in 2011. Where a DUCR is required for PEACH purposes, this must be declared in DE 2/1
• ‘Country’ – is the country where the DUCR was allocated
• ‘EORI’ – is the identity of the trader as known to HMRC. In the UK this is the 12-character EORI number
• ’-‘ – is a dash.
• ‘Reference’ – is a unique series of characters that the trader, whose EORI number is included in the DUCR, devises and which provides an audit trail within traders’ commercial records. This component of the DUCR is restricted to numbers, upper case letters and certain special characters

An example DUCR is as follows: ‘7GB000000000000-12345’.

This example DUCR would have been issued in 2017, in the UK, for an EORI number ‘GB000000000000’, and with a trader reference number of ‘12345’.

Notes

This data element can be declared once at header and once per item.

DE 2/5 LRN (No Previous Reference)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..22	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is mandatory.

The declarant must enter a unique reference number for the transaction.

DE 2/7 Identification of warehouse (Box 49: Warehouse ID)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B4 and C1	Warehouse type: a1 + Warehouse identifier: (including Country Code): an..35	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is only required when the Previous Procedure Code declared in DE 1/10 includes the codes ‘07’, ‘71’ or ‘78’.

The premises declared in DE 2/7 must have been approved by one of the EU member states.

Separate declarations are required for goods being removed from different warehouses. The DE 1/10 Procedure Code notes explain these restrictions in more detail.

Enter the ‘Identity of the warehouse’, which is in two components:

• type
• warehouse identifier including Country Code

Do not enter any separator or space between the two parts.

First component: Type (a1)

Enter, as appropriate, one of the following codes:

Code	Warehouse type
R	Public customs warehouse type I
S	Public customs warehouse type II*
T	Public customs warehouse type III*
U	Private customs warehouse
Y	Non-customs warehouse
Z	Free zone

*Type codes S and T may not be used with any warehouse identifier with a Country Code of GB.

Second component: warehouse identifier (including Country Code) (an..35)

The warehouse identifier consists of two parts:

• the identification number for the warehouse issued by the authorising member state
• the Country Code for the authorising member state

In the UK:

• customs warehouses have a 7-digit reference
• excise warehouses have a 13-digit reference
• the Free Zone is 0000006 – Isle of Man

If the warehouse identity is not a UK allocated code (suffixed by ‘GB’), the premises name and address must be supplied as an AI Statement in DE 2/2 Additional Information, using AI code ‘PREMS’.

Notes

An example of a Customs Warehouse Identification reference number is R1234567GB:

• where R denotes a Type I public warehouse
• 1234567 denotes the authorisation number for the warehouse
• GB denotes the authorising Member State

An example of an Excise warehouse identity is YGB00001234567GB:

• where Y denotes a non-customs warehouse
• GB00001234567 is the 13-character excise warehouse identifier
• GB denotes the authorising Member State

For goods being removed from a warehouse or free zone:

• entry under this Procedure Code is a declaration that:
  • the goods are eligible for removal from a customs/ excise warehouse/ free zone
  • the goods will be removed from the customs/ excise warehouse/ free zone stated in DE 2/7 (identification of warehouse) without delay and in the same state and conditions as declared
  • all other conditions and requirements associated with removal from the customs/ excise warehouse/ free zone procedure will be met
• all items on the customs declaration must be being removed from the same customs/ excise warehouse/ free zone and have the previous procedure code of 07/71/78 (as the third and fourth digit) in DE 1/10 (Procedure Code).

Group 3: Parties

DE 3/1 Exporter (Box 2: Consignor/ Exporter)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Name: an..35 + Street and number: an..35 + Country: a2 + Postcode: an..9 + City: an..35	1x	NA

All declaration categories

The details of the exporter (name and address and postcode), as defined in Article 1(19) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063, amending Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/2446, are to be entered in DE 3/1.

Exporter is defined (in6 Article 1(19) as:

a) a private individual carrying goods to be taken out of the customs territory of the Union where these goods are contained in the private individual’s personal baggage,
b) in other cases where a) does not apply:

(i) a person established in the customs territory of the Union who, has the power to determine and has determined that the goods are to be taken out of that customs territory
(ii) where (i) does not apply, any person established in the customs territory of the Union who is a party to the contract under which goods are to taken out of that customs territory

If the exporter identification reference number (EORI) quoted in DE 3/2 is recognised by CDS then DE 3/1 need not be completed.

The consignor/ exporter details (formerly Box 2) is now covered under 6 different data elements under CDS.

Name and address

Enter the full name and address of the exporter, including the postcode. Where a country does not use a postcode or equivalent code, (for example, US zip code), enter ‘NA’ in this section of the data element.

Notes

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), the ‘Name’ and ‘Street and Number’ components of this Data Element is restricted to ‘an..35’.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063, amending Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/2446 provided additional clarification on the definition of the exporter as follows:

‘…the new definition of ‘exporter’ should be less restrictive and limit the conditions for being an exporter to the essential requirements for the functioning of the export procedure: the exporter must have the power to determine that the goods are to be taken out of the customs territory of the Union and, in line with Article 170(2) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, the exporter must be established in the customs territory of the Union.

Only in cases where the business partners do not agree on the person who may act as exporter or the person is not established in the customs territory of the Union, the exporter is determined by the customs legislation…’

DE 3/2 Exporter Identification Number (Box 2: Consignor/Exporter)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..17	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Enter the identification number (EORI) of the exporter (as defined in Article 1(19) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063, amending Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/2446) are to be entered in DE 3/2.

Exporter is defined (in Article 1(19) as:

c) a private individual carrying goods to be taken out of the customs territory of the Union where these goods are contained in the private individual’s personal baggage
d) in other cases where a) does not apply:

(iii) a person established in the customs territory of the Union who, has the power to determine and has determined that the goods are to be taken out of that customs territory
(iv) Where (i) does not apply, any person established in the customs territory of the Union who is a party to the contract under which goods are to taken out of that customs territory.

Where a valid EORI number quoted in DE 3/2 is recognised by CDS then DE 3/1 should not be completed.

For MoU approved fast parcel traders, insert the EORI no. of the approved MOU operator, when details of the individual exporters are not required.

For commercial exportations an EORI number must be used unless a specific legal exemption applies (Article 5 EU Reg No. 2015/2446). This applies to all commercial exports including ‘one off’ consignments.

Where an EORI no. is not required, enter the exporter’s name and address details as specified in DE 3/1 (Exporter).

Notes

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063, amending Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/2446 provided additional clarification on the definition of the exporter as follows:

‘…the new definition of ‘exporter’ should be less restrictive and limit the conditions for being an exporter to the essential requirements for the functioning of the export procedure: the exporter must have the power to determine that the goods are to be taken out of the customs territory of the Union and, in line with Article 170(2) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, the exporter must be established in the customs territory of the Union.

Only in cases where the business partners do not agree on the person who may act as exporter or the person is not established in the customs territory of the Union, the exporter is determined by the customs legislation…’

DE 3/9 Consignee name and address (Box 8 – consignee)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Name: an..35 + Street and number: an..35 + Country: a2 + Postcode: an..9 + City: an..35	1x	1x

All declaration categories

This data element must always be completed if an EORI number has not been provided in DE 3/10.

Box 8 (Consignee/Importer) is now covered under six different data elements under CDS.

Enter the consignee’s name and address, and their identity details.

This is the party to whom the goods are consigned/ shipped.

DE 3/9 is used to declare the consignee’s name and address and postcode. This DE should only be completed where a recognised EORI number is not held and declared in DE 3/10.

Name and address

Enter the full name and address of the consignee, including the postcode. Where a country does not use a postcode or equivalent code, (for example, US zip code), enter ‘NA’ in this section of the data element.

If the Consignee’s identifier reference number (EORI) quoted in DE 3/10 is recognised by CDS, then DE 3/9 should not be completed.

Notes

For paper declarations only one consignee is to be declared.

For all other declarations, if there’s only one consignee then the consignee’s details are to be supplied at header level.

If there is more than one consignee then consignee details are to be supplied at item level.

Where the specific consignee details are not known, enter the details of the firm or company responsible for taking delivery of the goods

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), the ‘Name’ and ‘Street and Number’ components of this Data Element is restricted to ‘an..35’.

DE 3/10 Consignee Identification Number (Box 8: Consignee number)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..17	1x	1x

All declaration categories

Where the consignee has a valid EORI number or other recognisable reference number, this data element is mandatory. Where no EORI is held by the consignee, then DE 3/9 must be completed with the consignee’s name and address details.

Enter the identification number of the party to whom the goods are consigned/shipped.

Where a valid EORI number is provided in DE 3/10, the consignee’s name and address should not be completed in DE 3/9.

Where a unique identification number is issued under third country trading partnership programmes that number may be declared in DE 3/10.

Notes

The identity of a consignee is a combination of the country code of the issuing country, and the identity reference allocated by that country. The identity reference must take the following form:

• agency code (an..3) as listed in UN/EDIFACT 3055
• consignee Identification code (an..13)

For example, JP1511234567890 for a Japanese consignee (country code: JP) whose identification number with Japanese customs (Agency Code 151) is 1234567890.

For paper declarations: only one consignee is to be declared.

For all other declarations:

If there is only one consignee then the consignee details are to be supplied at header level.

If there is more than one consignee then the individual consignee details must be supplied at item level (one consignee per item).

DE 3/17 Declarant name and address (Box 14: Declarant/ Representative)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Name: an..70 + Street and number: an..70 + Country: a2 + Postcode: an..9 + City: an..35	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Box 14 (Declarant/ Representative) is now covered under five different data elements under CDS.

DE 3/17 is used to declare the Declarant’s name and address and postcode.

If the Declarant’s identification reference number (EORI) quoted in DE 3/18 is recognised by CDS, then DE 3/17 need not be completed.

Name and address

Enter the full name and address of the Declarant, including the postcode. Where a country does not use a postcode or equivalent code, (for example, US zip code), enter ‘NA’ in this section of the data element.

Notes

This data element may only be declared once at header level.

Enter the appropriate code (see below) in DE 2/2 (Additional information), if, for example:

• declarant and Consignor are the same, code 00300 is to be used
• declarant and Exporter are the same, code 00400 is to be used

On paper declarations: Enter the full name and address of the person or company concerned, and the telephone number of the signatory.

Simplified procedures indirect representatives

Where a sub-agent is completing a:

• simplified declaration (Additional Declaration Types C or F in DE 1/2) and/or
• supplementary declarations (Additional Declarations Types Y or Z in DE 1/2) on behalf of a SDP or EIDR trader who is authorised to declare goods in this manner as an indirect representative, then
• the identity of the authorised trader for SDP or EIDR (the indirect representative) must be entered in DE 3/20 (representative’s identification number) and
• the sub-agent’s identity must be entered in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (Declarant’s Identity)

DE 3/18 Declarant Identification Number (Box 14: Declarant/ Representative)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..17	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is mandatory.

Box 14 (Declarant/ Representative) is now covered under five different data elements under CDS.

Enter the identification number (EORI) of the Declarant in DE 3/18.

Where a valid EORI number is provided in DE 3/18, the Declarant’s name and address does not need to be completed in DE 3/17.

Notes

Enter the appropriate code (see below) in DE 2/2 (Additional information), if, for example:

• declarant and Consignor are the same, code 00300 is to be used
• declarant and Exporter are the same, code 00400 is to be used

This data element may only be declared once at header level.

Simplified procedures indirect representatives

Where a sub-agent is completing a:

• simplified declaration (Additional Declaration Types C or F in DE 1/2) and/or
• supplementary declarations (Additional Declarations Types Y or Z in DE 1/2)

on behalf of a SDP or EIDR trader who is authorised to declare goods in this manner as an indirect representative, then

• the identity of the authorised trader for SDP or EIDR (the indirect representative) must be entered in DE 3/20 (representative’s identification number) and
• the sub-agent’s identity must be entered in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (Declarant’s Identity)

DE 3/19 Representative name and address (Box 14: Declarant/ Representative and Box 50: Principal’s Representative)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Name: an..70 + Street and number: an..70 + Country: a2 + Postcode: an..9 + City: an..35 +	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Box 14 (Declarant/ Representative) is now covered under five different data elements under CDS.

This data element should only be completed where the representative differs from the Declarant declared in DE 3/17 or DE 3/18.

DE 3/19 is used to declare the representative’s name and address and postcode. This DE should only be completed where a recognised EORI number is not held and declared in DE 3/20.

If the representatives identification reference number (EORI) quoted in DE 3/20 is recognised by CDS, then DE 3/19 should not be completed.

This data element must be completed with the details of the representative who will be responsible for the customs formalities at the Office of Exit (DE 5/12) where this differs from the declarant declared in DE 3/17.

For example, where the representative contracts with a sub-agent to submit the customs declaration, the sub-agent’s details are to be entered in the declarant’s data elements. The representative (who holds the contract with the exporter to complete the customs formalities) will be entered in the representative’s data elements.

Name and address

Enter the full name and address of the representative, including the postcode. Where a country does not use a postcode or equivalent code, (for example, US zip code), enter ‘NA’ in this section of the data element.

Notes

This data element may only be declared once at header level.

On paper declarations: Enter the full name and address of the person or company concerned, and the telephone number of the signatory.

Direct representation and sub-agents

Where a representative/agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, and the sub-agent submits the declaration on behalf of the first agent but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential; the sub-agent must hold (and be able to produce on request to customs) written authority to act and the instructions provided for the completion of the declaration’s particulars.

Failure to produce written authority will result in liability resting with the sub-agent. The sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (Declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party. The representative retains responsibility for ensuring the declaration is made in accordance with the instructions provided by the exporter.

Indirect representation and sub-agents:

Where a representative or agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, in an ‘indirect’ capacity on behalf of the first agent (but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential), then the sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party.

The representative retains joint and several liability with the exporter for the customs debt.

Simplified procedures indirect representatives

Where a sub-agent is completing a:

• simplified declaration (Additional Declaration Types C or F in DE 1/2) and/or
• supplementary declarations (Additional Declarations Types Y or Z in DE 1/2)

on behalf of a SDP or EIDR trader who is authorised to declare goods in this manner as an indirect representative, then

• the identity of the authorised trader for SDP or EIDR (the indirect representative) must be entered in DE 3/20 (representative’s identification number) and
• the sub-agent’s identity must be entered in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity)

DE 3/20 Representative Identification Number (Box 14: Declarant/ Representative and Box 50: Principal’s Representative)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..17	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element should only be completed where the representative differs from the declarant declared in DE 3/17 or DE 3/18.

Enter the identification number (EORI) of the representative (as defined in Article 18 of the Union Customs Code, EU Reg. No. 952/2013) in DE 3/20.

Where a valid EORI number is provided in DE 3/20, the representative’s name and address does not need to be completed in DE 3/19.

This data element must be completed with the details of the representative who will be responsible for the customs formalities where this differs from the declarant details declared in DE 3/17 and/ or DE 3/18.

For example, where the representative contracts with a sub-agent to submit the customs declaration.

The sub-agent’s details are to be entered in the declarant’s data elements, the representative (who holds the contract with the exporter to complete the customs formalities) will be entered in the representative’s data elements.

Notes

This data element may only be declared once at header level.

Direct representation and sub-agents

Where a representative or agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, and the sub-agent submits the declaration on behalf of the first agent but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential; the sub-agent must hold (and be able to produce on request to customs) written authority to act and the instructions provided for the completion of the declaration’s particulars.

Failure to produce written authority will result in liability resting with the sub-agent. The sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party.

The representative retains responsibility for ensuring the declaration is made in accordance with the instructions provided by the exporter.

Indirect representation and sub-agents:

Where a representative/agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, in an ‘indirect’ capacity on behalf of the first agent (but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential), then the sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party.

The representative retains joint and several liability with the exporter for the customs debt.

Simplified procedures indirect representatives

Where a sub-agent is completing a:

• simplified declaration (Additional Declaration Types C or F in DE 1/2) and/or
• supplementary declarations (Additional Declarations Types Y or Z in DE 1/2)

on behalf of a SDP or EIDR trader who is authorised to declare goods in this manner as an indirect representative, then

• the identity of the authorised trader for SDP or EIDR (the indirect representative) must be entered in DE 3/20 (representative’s identification number) and
• the sub-agent’s identity must be entered in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (Declarant’s Identity)

DE 3/21 Representative Status Code (Box 14: Declarant/ Representative)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	n1	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is mandatory except where self-representation is used.

Enter the relevant code showing the status of the representative:

This data element must be completed, other than in the case of self-representation. Enter one of the following codes:

Code	Representation
2	Direct representation
3	Indirect representation

Notes

Any person may appoint a representative (agent) to perform the acts and formalities laid down by customs rules.

Use of representatives or agents to submit the declaration on the exporter’s or legal declarant’s behalf:

Article 5(15) of Council Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013 (Union Customs Code (UCC)) defines the legal declarant as:

‘The person lodging a customs declaration in his or her own name or the person in whose name such a declaration is lodged.’

Where the legal declarant (for example, exporter) is completing the declaration themselves under ‘self-representation’, they shall be liable for the content of all declarations so completed and submitted.

Article 18 of EU Reg. No. 952/2013 (UCC) permits customs representatives to be appointed to act on another person’s behalf. This representation may be:

• Direct: the representative acts in the name and of behalf of the other person. The liability rests with the original party (usually the exporter). This is dependent on the representative holding appropriate evidence of their empowerment to act on behalf of the original party and can demonstrate that the original party’s instructions have been followed
• Indirect: the representative acts in their own name but on behalf of another person. The liability is held jointly and severally between both parties.

Article 5(6) of EU Reg. No. 952/2013 (UCC)) defines a representative as:

‘Any person appointed by another person to carry out the acts and formalities required under the customs legislation in his or her dealings with customs authorities.’

Direct representation

Where the representative or agent is acting as a ‘direct’ representative, in the name of and on behalf of another person and is transmitting the declaration under the representative’s or agent’s own user identity, the representative or agent must hold (and be able to produce on request to customs) written authority of their powers to act. Failure to do so will result in liability resting with the representative.

In this example, the representative’s details would be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity). The representative status declared in DE 3/21 would show Direct, code ‘2’.

Direct representation and sub-agents:

Where a representative or agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, and the sub-agent submits the declaration on behalf of the first agent but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential; the sub-agent must hold (and be able to produce on request to customs) written authority to act and the instructions provided for the completion of the declaration’s particulars.

Failure to produce written authority will result in liability resting with the sub-agent. The sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party. The representative retains responsibility for ensuring the declaration is made in accordance with the instructions provided by the exporter.

Indirect representation

Where the representative or agent is acting as an ‘indirect’ representative in their own name, but on behalf of another person, both parties accept joint liability for all data transmitted under the user identity.

A representative or agent failing to state the level of representation on the electronic declaration will be deemed to be acting in their own name and on their own behalf.

In this example, the representative’s details would be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity). The representative status declared in DE 3/21 would show Indirect, code ‘3’.

Indirect representation and sub-agents:

Where a representative/agent delegates the making of a declaration to a sub-agent, in an ‘indirect’ capacity on behalf of the first agent (but using the sub-agent’s user identity as the authentication credential), then the sub-agent must be declared in DE 3/17 or 3/18 (declarant’s identity).

The representative, originally contracted to complete the customs declaration and formalities on behalf of the exporter must be declared as the representative on the declaration and appear in DE 3/19 or 3/20 (representative’s identity).

The representative status declared in DE 3/21 indicates the relationship between the representative and the exporter, not the sub-agent and any other party.

The representative retains joint and several liability with the exporter for the customs debt.

DE 3/31 Carrier name and address

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	Name: an..70 + Street and number: an..70 + Country: a2 + Postcode: an..9 + City: an..35 + Phone number: an..50	1x	NA

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2):

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

All declaration categories

This information is only required where the carrier is different from the declarant (as declared in DE 3/17). Where the carrier is different, the details of the carrier are to be entered in DE 3/31.

DE 3/31 is used to declare the carrier’s name and address, postcode and phone number.

If the carrier’s identifier reference number (EORI) quoted in DE 3/32 is recognised by CDS, then DE 3/31 should not be completed.

Name and address

Enter the full name and address of the Carrier, including the postcode and phone number. Where a country does not use a postcode or equivalent code, (for example, US zip code), enter ‘NA’ in this section of the data element.

Notes

This data element may only be declared once at header level.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), the phone number component is restricted to ‘an..50’.

DE 3/32 Carrier Identification number

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	an..17	1x	NA

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2):

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

All declaration categories

Enter the identification number (EORI) of the Carrier in DE 3/32.

Where a valid EORI number is provided in DE 3/32, the Carrier’s name and address does not need to be completed in DE 3/31.

Where the Carrier does not have an EORI number, the customs administration may assign an ad hoc number for the declaration concerned.

Notes

This data element may only be declared once at header level.

Where a unique identification number is issued under third country trading partnership programmes that number may be declared in DE 3/32.

DE 3/37 Additional Supply Chain Actor(s) Identification Number (No Previous Reference)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Role code: a..3 + Identifier: an..17	99x	99x

All declaration categories

This data element is optional.

If used, enter the unique identification number assigned to an economic operator of a third country in the framework of a trade partnership programme developed in accordance with the World Customs Organization Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade which is recognised by the European Union.

This data element comprises of two components:

First Component: Role Code (a..3)

Enter the role code specifying their role in the supply chain.

The following parties can be declared:

Role Code	Party	Description
CS	Consolidator	Freight forwarder combining individual smaller consignments into a single larger consignment (in a consolidation process) that is sent to a counterpart who mirrors the consolidator’s activity by dividing the consolidated consignment into its original components
MF	Manufacturer	Party which manufactures goods
FW	Freight Forwarder	Party undertaking forwarding of goods
WH	Warehouse Keeper	Party taking responsibility for goods entered into a warehouse

Second component: Identification number of the party (an..17)

This should be an EORI number issued by a Member State, or a third country unique identifier recognised by the EU.

Notes

Up to 99 separate instances may be declared in DE 3/37 at header level and item level.

DE 3/39 Holder of the Authorisation Identification Number (No Previous Reference)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Authorisation type code: an..4 + Identifier: an..17	99x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is only mandatory where an authorisation is required to declare the goods. This data element should be used to declare the EORI number against the appropriate Authorisation Type Code for each type of authorisation required in order to declare the goods to the customs procedure concerned.

The corresponding authorisation decision number must be declared in DE 2/3 against the appropriate document code. Appendix 6: DE 3/39: Authorisation Type Codes contains the list of codes to be declared for this data element (for example, CSE to be declared when Customs Supervised Exports is being used).

The Procedure Code and Additional Procedure Code completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes and Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes give guidance on the Authorisation Type Codes expected to be used in specific circumstances for the procedure concerned.

They are not a definitive guide however and should be read in conjunction with the full list provided in Appendix 6: DE 3/39: Authorisation Type Codes.

This data element comprises two components:

First Component: Authorisation type code (an..4)

Enter the type of authorisation using the relevant code from Appendix 6: DE 3/39: Authorisation Type Codes.

Second Component: Identifier (an..17)

Enter the EORI number of the authorised party.

Notes

Up to 99 separate instances may be declared in DE 3/39 at header level.

The authorisation holder’s details do not need to be declared where an Authorisation by Customs Declaration for Special Procedures is used.

DE 3/40 Additional Fiscal References Identification Number (No Previous Reference)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B4 and C1	Role code: an3 + VAT identification number: an..17	99x	99x

All declaration categories

This data element must be completed when Onward Supply Relief (OSR) is declared.

This data element is only required when ’10 42’ is entered in DE 1/10 (Procedure Code).

This data element consists of two components:

First Component: Role code (an3)

The following parties can be declared:

Role Code	Party	Description
FR1	Exporter	Enter the VAT identification number issued in the member state of exportation for the exporter designated or recognised under Article 201(1) of the VAT Directive as liable for payment of VAT. The number should begin with the ISO alpha-2 country code of the member state assigning the VAT number (for example, FR1GB123456789). FR1 should be used for an exporter that is established and VAT registered in the UK, it cannot be used by a non VAT registered person.

Second Component: VAT identification number (an..17)

The value added tax identification number is structured as follows:

Field	Content	Format
1	Country Code Identifier of the Member State of issue using the code from Appendix 13: Country Codes.	a2
2	Individual number attributed by Member States for the identification of taxable persons referred to in Article 214 of Directive 2006/112/EC (for example, the individual’s VAT number).	an..15

Notes

Up to 99 separate instances may be declared in DE 3/40 at header level and at item level.

A full audit trail must be held by the exporter to identify the quantities of onward supply relief goods exported as justification for the acquisition VAT not being accounted for in the Member State of destination. Failure to provide these details on request may result in a demand for the relieved VAT being issued.

Group 4: Valuation Information and Taxes

DE 4/2 Transport charges method of payment

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	a1	1x	1x

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2)

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

All declaration categories

The transport charges method of payment is to be provided where available.

The codes to be used are:

Code	Payment method
A	Payment in cash
B	Payment by credit card
C	Payment by cheque
D	Other (for example, Direct debit to cash account)
H	Electronic funds transfer
Y	Account holder with carrier
Z	Not pre-paid

Notes

If the method of payment is the same for all items, it may be declared at Header level only.

This data element should only be declared at item level if different methods of payment are used for individual items.

DE 4/10 Invoice Currency (Box 22: Invoice Currency and Total Amount Invoiced)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	a3	1x	NA

Any currencies declared to CDS must be attached to a specific data element amount. The currency should therefore be declared with the appropriate data element amount. For example, ‘USD’ followed by the total amount invoiced in DE 4/11.

All declaration categories

Using the relevant code (see Appendix 11: DE 4/10: Currency Codes), enter the currency in which the commercial invoice was drawn up.

The invoice currency code, declared in DE 4/10, does not affect the currency to be used for the statistical value declared in DE 8/6 which must always be declared in Sterling (GBP).

The invoice currency declared for DE 4/10 must apply to the amount declared in DE 4/11 (total amounts invoiced).

Where the goods are invoiced in multiple currencies, follow the instructions below.

Multiple invoice currencies

Where the goods have been invoiced in more than one currency, the invoice value must be converted and entered in Sterling (GBP).

Where the goods have been invoiced in more than one currency Document Code ‘9WKS’ must be declared in DE 2/3 (Document Codes). A copy of the worksheet or valuation declaration showing how the conversion was made, must be held and made available to Customs on request.

Fixed Rates of Exchange

Where a fixed rate of exchange is stipulated in the contract of sale and is being used:

• enter the currency code for sterling ‘GBP’ in DE 4/10 (Invoice Currency)
• enter the fixed rate of exchange used for the currency conversion, for evidence purposes in DE 4/15 (Fixed Rate of Exchange)
• enter the Total Invoice Amount (DE 4/11) in Sterling (GBP)

Where a fixed rate of exchange is applied, Document Code ‘9WKS’ must be declared in DE 2/3 (Document Codes). A copy of the worksheet or valuation declaration showing how the conversion was made, must be held and made available to Customs on request.

Evidence to support the use of fixed rates of exchange must be held and made available to Customs on request.

DE 4/11 Total Amount Invoiced (Box 22: Invoice Currency and Total Amount Invoiced)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4	n..16,2	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Completion of this data element is optional for (re)export purposes except for invoices of £100,000 or above.

Enter the total invoiced price/ amount for all goods declared in the declaration, expressed in the currency unit declared in DE 4/10 (Invoice Currency).

Enter the total customs value of all goods items on the declaration.

Notes

The invoice currency declared for DE 4/10 must apply to the amount declared in DE 4/11 (total amounts invoiced).

Where the goods are invoiced in multiple currencies, follow the instructions below.

Any currencies declared to CDS must be attached to a specific data element amount. The currency should therefore be declared with the appropriate data element amount. For example, ‘GBP’ followed by the total amount invoiced in DE 4/11.

Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 2 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 2 decimal places are used, then only 14 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.

CDS converts foreign currency amounts into sterling using stored rates of exchange. The rate of exchange used for this purpose is the rate in force on the day the declaration is accepted.

Rates of exchange for most foreign currencies used for customs purposes are published by HMRC monthly and apply from midnight on the last day of the month for use during the following month. You can read about rates of exchange to be used for customs purposes, including any changes in published rates.

Multiple invoice currencies

Where the goods have been invoiced in more than one currency, the invoice value must be converted and entered in Sterling (GBP).

Where the goods have been invoiced in more than one currency Document Code ‘9WKS’ must be declared in DE 2/3 (Document Codes). A copy of the worksheet or valuation declaration showing how the conversion was made, must be held and made available to Customs on request.

Fixed rates of exchange

Where a fixed rate of exchange is stipulated in the contract of sale and is being used:

• enter the currency code for sterling ‘GBP’ in DE 4/10 (Invoice Currency)
• enter the fixed rate of exchange used for the currency conversion, for evidence purposes in DE 4/15 (Fixed Rate of Exchange)
• enter the Total Invoice Amount (DE 4/11) in Sterling (GBP)

Where a fixed rate of exchange is applied, Document Code ‘9WKS’ must be declared in DE 2/3 (Document Codes). A copy of the worksheet or valuation declaration showing how the conversion was made, must be held and made available to Customs on request.

Evidence to support the use of fixed rates of exchange must be held and made available to Customs on request.

DE 4/15 Exchange Rate – Fixed in advance by contract (Box 23: Exchange Rate)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n..12,5	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is used to declare the rate of exchange fixed in advance by a contract between the parties concerned.

Fixed rates of exchange

Where a fixed rate of exchange is stipulated in the contract of sale and is being used:

• enter the currency code for sterling ‘GBP’ in DE 4/10 (Invoice Currency)
• enter the fixed rate of exchange used for the currency conversion, for evidence purposes in DE 4/15 (Fixed Rate of Exchange)
• enter the Total Invoice Amount (DE 4/11) in Sterling (GBP)

Where a fixed rate of exchange is applied, Document Code ‘9WKS’ must be declared in DE 2/3 (Document Codes). A copy of the worksheet or valuation declaration showing how the conversion was made, must be held and made available to Customs on request.

Evidence to support the use of fixed rates of exchange must be held and made available to Customs on request.

Notes

Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 5 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 5 decimal places are used, then only 7 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.

Group 5: Dates, times, periods, places, countries and regions

DE 5/8 Country of Destination Code (Box 17(a): Country of Destination Code)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	a2	1x	1x

This data element is mandatory.

All declaration categories

Using the code list in Appendix 13: Country Codes enter the relevant country code for the country of destination (for instance, the country to which the goods are to be delivered).

Notes

Where there are a number of items on a declaration but there is only one country of ultimate destination, this must be declared at header level only. No reference to the destination country should be made at item level.

Where there are a number of items on the declaration and there is more than one ultimate country of destination, the ultimate country of destination must be declared at individual item level only, not at the header level. The ultimate country of destination must not be the same for all individual item level data.

DE 5/12 Customs Office of Exit (Box 29: office of exit)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an8	1x	NA

This Data Element is mandatory and must be completed in all cases, even where the office of export and office of exit are the same.

Where the office of exit is populated by the inventory system, DE 5/12 (Office of Exit) may be left blank.

There are no other circumstances in which the Customs Office of Exit should be left blank, it must always be completed in accordance with Article 329 of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447

For declaration categories: B1, B2 and C1

Using the relevant Union code, enter the customs office by which it is intended that the goods should leave the customs territory of the Union.

For declaration categories B4

Using the relevant Union code, enter the customs office by which is intended that the goods should leave for dispatch to the Special Fiscal Territory or Territory with which the EU has formed a Customs Union.

All declaration categories

The UK office of exit codes may be found in Appendix 14: DE 5/12 UK Customs Offices List (COL) Codes. These should be used in DE 5/12 where the office of exit is in the UK.

For goods exiting via another Member State , the office of exit codes may be found in the EUs customs office list.

Rules for determining the customs office of exit for specific customs procedures

The Customs office of Exit must be determined in accordance with Article 329, Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/2447.

The guidance below specifies the rules to be used in some specific circumstances but reference should be made to Article 329 and UK Trade Tariff, CDS Volume 3, Exports, Part 2 for more information on specific customs procedures and the office of exit.

Transit

When using Transit to move exported goods, the exporter or declarant should input the AI code: ‘TRANS’ into DE 2/2 of the export declaration and DE 5/12 Office of Exit should show the office of exit as the customs office of departure of the transit operation, as per Article 329(5), Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447.

Single transport contract

Exporters are required to specify that their goods are travelling under STC. The Export Declaration must include the Additional Information (AI) code: ‘30500’ in DE 2/2 and DE 5/12 Office of Exit should show the office of exit as the customs office competent for supervising the goods at the time they were placed under the STC, for instance, the customs office of where the goods were placed under the STC, as per Article 329(7), Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447.

Goods moving under an Excise Suspension:

For excise suspense goods, the office of exit must be shown as the office where it is intended the goods will leave the territory of the EU, as per article 329(8) of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2447.

For excise duty paid goods, the customs office of exit should be declared in accordance with the standard completion rules outlined in DE 5/12 Customs office of exit

Notes

Although the field length will remain unchanged, the structure of the codes for the customs offices will be updated to comply with the UCC following updates to the Export Control System (ECS).

DE 5/14 Country of Dispatch/Export Code (Box 15(a): Country of Dispatch Code)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	a2	1x	NA

This data element is mandatory.

All declaration categories

The country of dispatch/export must be an EU Member State. A list of country codes may be found in Appendix 13: Country Codes.

Using the code list in Appendix 13: Country Codes enter the relevant Union code for the Member State in which the goods are located at the time they are declared for the (re)export procedure.

Where the goods have been brought into a Member State purely for the purposes of (re)exportation, the code for the original Member State should be declared provided that the following conditions are met:

• the goods were brought from there only for the purpose of export; and
• the exporter is not established in the UK at the time of their release into the customs procedure; and
• the entry into the UK was not an intra-Union acquisition of goods or transaction treated as such as referred to in Council Directive 2006//112/EC

For example, goods brought into the UK from France purely for the purposes of their exportation from Felixstowe and where the customs declaration is submitted in the UK, the Country of Dispatch or Export should be declared as FR.

Where goods are exported following an inward processing procedure, indicate the Member State where the last processing activity was undertaken.

Notes

This must be declared once and only at header level.

DE 5/18 Country of Routing Codes

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	a2	99x	NA

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2)

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

For express consignments only

Only the country of final destination for the goods should be provided (as declared in DE 5/8 Country of Destination).

All declaration categories

Identify, in a chronological order, the countries through which goods will be routed between the country of original departure and final destination.

This should also include:

• the country of original departure, as declared in DE 5/14 (country of dispatch/ export) and
• the final destination of the good, as declared in DE 5/8 (country of destination).

A list of country codes may be found in Appendix 13: Country Codes.

The countries of routing should be provided to the extent known.

DE 5/23 Location of Goods (Box 30: Location of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	Country: a2 + Type of location: a1 + Qualifier of the identification: a1 + Coded Identification of location an..35 + Additional identifier n..3 OR Free text description Street and number: an..70 + Postcode: an..9 + City: an..35	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is mandatory.

Using the relevant codes, enter the location where the goods are located at the time they are declared.

The location code must be precise enough to allow Customs to carry out physical controls on the goods Details of the codes which may be declared in DE 5/23 for each particular type of locations may be found in Appendices 16A – 16R: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes:

• Appendix 16A: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Airports
• Appendix 16B: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Certificate of Agreement (CoA) Airports
• Appendix 16C: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Maritime Ports and Wharves
• Appendix 16D: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: ITSFs
• Appendix 16E: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: ITSF(R)
• Appendix 16F: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: ETSFs
• Appendix 16G: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: BIPs
• Appendix 16H: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Approved Depositories
• Appendix 16I: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: GB Place Names and UN/LOCODE Codes
• Appendix 16J: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Other Types of Location
• Appendix 16K: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: DEPS
• Appendix 16L: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: CSE
• Appendix 16M: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Rail (this appendix will be included in a later version)
• Appendix 16R: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: RoRo (this appendix will be included in a later version)

The goods location codes specified in Appendices 16A to 16H and 16J to 16R should be declared in DE 5/23 unless the DE 1/10 Procedure Code specifies otherwise. See Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes for details.

The Appendix 16I codes must only be used where specified by the particular Procedure Code (DE 1/10) completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes.

Notes

The Codes shown in column 2 of Appendices 16A – R: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes with the exclusion of Appendices 16I are the consolidated location codes to be declared in DE 5/23.

Customs Supervised Exports (CSE)

Enter the Goods Location Code, as shown in Appendix 16L: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Customs Supervised Exports, for the appropriate CSE location, unless otherwise instructed by the particular Procedure Code (DE 1/10) completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes.

DE 5/26 Customs Office of Presentation (No Previous Reference) SASP Traders only

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an8	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element relates to centralised clearance, however, SASP authorisations are now deemed to be centralised clearance authorisations under the UCC.

The data element is to be completed using one of the following formats:

For goods presented in the UK:

Enter the appropriate code from Appendix 17: DE 5/27: Supervising Office (SPOFF) Codes.

For goods presented in other Member States use the format below:

The Customs office codes for other Member States may be found in the EUs customs office list. Do not use these codes for goods presented in the UK.

DE 5/27 Supervising Customs Office (Box 44)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an8	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is only to be completed when specifically instructed by the completion notes for the Procedure Code (DE 1/10). See Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes for details of when this data element is to be completed and which supervising office is to be declared.

The data element is to be completed using one of the following formats:

For authorisations issued and supervised by the UK:

A list of the UK supervising office (SPOFF) codes may be found in Appendix 17: DE 5/27: Supervising Office (SPOFF) Codes.

For authorisations granted and supervised by other Member States, the supervising offices may be found in the EUs customs office list.

Group 6: Goods identification

DE 6/1 Net Mass (Box 38: Net Mass)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n..11,3	NA	1x

For declaration category B1 and B2:

This information is mandatory

For declaration category B4:

This information shall only be required in the case of commercial transactions dispatching goods to a territory which is not part of the Member State of export. For example, goods declared for export in the UK, dispatched to a French Special Fiscal Territory, Réunion.

All other declaration categories

This data element is mandatory.

Enter, up to 3 decimal places, the net mass in kilograms of the goods described in DE 6/8 (Description of Goods). The net mass is the weight of the goods themselves without any packaging.

Where a net mass greater than 1 kg includes a fraction of a unit (kg), it may be rounded off in the following manner:

• from 0.001 to 0.499: rounding down to the nearest kg
• from 0.5 to 0.999: rounding up to the nearest kg

A net mass of less than 1 kg should be entered as ‘0’ followed by a number of decimals up to 6, discarding all ‘0’ at the end of the quantity (for example, 0.123 for a package of 123 grams, 0.003 for a package of 3 grams and 40 milligrams or 0.001 for a package of 654 milligrams).

Notes

The net mass is the weight of the goods themselves without any packaging.

‘Packaging’ means materials and components used in any packaging operation to wrap, contain and protect articles or substances during transport. The various kinds of packages whose weight is not included in the net mass (based on the fact that they are used only for transport).

The term ‘package’ includes all articles used and, in particular, holders used as external or internal coverings for goods, holders on which goods are rolled, wound or attached, containers (other than those defined in international conventions) and receptacles. The term excludes means of transport and articles of transport equipment such as pallets and freight containers

Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 3 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 2 decimal places are used, then only 9 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to ‘n..11,3’.

DE 6/2 Supplementary Units (Box 41: Supplementary Units)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n..16,6	NA	1x

For declaration categories B4

This data element must be completed for commercial transactions dispatching goods to a territory which is not part of the Member State of export. For example, goods declared for export in the UK, dispatched to a French Special Fiscal Territory, Réunion.

All other declaration categories

This data element is only required where the commodity code requires a supplementary unit. In the UK Trade Tariff (online version), a supplementary units indicator is shown in the ‘Value’ column (column 3), enter the quantity in terms of the unit specified, up to 6 decimal places (if needed).

In the paper version of volume 2 of the UK Trade Tariff, if more than one unit of quantity is shown in column 4 against the commodity code for the item, enter the quantity in terms of the unit numbered ‘2’ in that column – up to 6 decimal places (if needed).

Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 6 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 3 decimal places are used, then only 13 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.

DE 6/5 Gross Mass (Box 35: Gross Mass)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n..11,3	1x	1x

For declaration categories B4:

This data element is optional for goods consigned to a Special Fiscal Territory or Territory with which the EU has formed a Customs Union.

All other declaration categories

This data element is mandatory.

Enter the gross mass, expressed in kilograms, for the specific item declared in DE 6/8 Description of Goods.

When the weight of the pallets is included in the transport documents, the weight of the pallets shall also be included in the calculation of the gross mass, except for the following cases:

• the pallet forms a separate item on the customs declaration
• the export licence is based on the gross weight of the goods

Notes

Gross mass may be declared at header or item level.

Where the gross mass affects licencing, documentary or revenue controls, it should be declared at item level. In all other circumstances it may be declared once at header level.

The gross mass is the total weight of the goods and packaging but excluding containers and any other transport equipment.

Where a gross mass greater than 1 kg includes a fraction of a unit (kg), it may be rounded off in the following manner:

• from 0.001 to 0.499: rounding down to the nearest kg
• from 0.5 to 0.999: rounding up to the nearest kg

A gross mass of less than 1 kg should be entered as ‘0’ followed by a number of decimals up to 6, discarding all ‘0’ at the end of the quantity (for example, 0.123 for a package of 123 grams, 0.003 for a package of 3 grams and 40 milligrams or 0.001 for a package of 654 milligrams).

Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 3 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 2 decimal places are used, then only 9 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to ‘n..11,3’.

DE 6/8 Description of Goods (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..280	NA	1x

This data element is mandatory.

All declaration categories

This description must be expressed in terms sufficiently precise to enable immediate and unambiguous identification and classification of the goods.

For goods re-exported from a customs warehouse or exported from an excise warehouse

The relevant stock numbers must be entered as part of the plain language description of the goods. When the goods are exported from an excise warehouse, which has customs approval to load goods into export container(s), the seal number(s) used to secure the container must be entered in DE 7/18 (ex Box D).

For excise goods

A full description of the goods including packaging size and strength of alcohol must always be provided, for example 1000 c/s Old St Andrews golf ball whisky miniatures 12x5cl at 40%, rot 232/02.

For exports of artificially heated heavy oil

Enter both the:

• quantity of bulk litres
• temperature and density at the time of measurement

The corresponding quantity in standard litres (see Notice 179) must be entered in DE 6/2 (Supplementary Units).

Notes

In all cases, the use of general terms (for instance, ‘consolidated’, ‘general cargo’, ‘parts’ or ‘freight of all kinds’) or not sufficiently precise description cannot be accepted.

A non-exhaustive list of general terms and descriptions which are not acceptable is published by the Commission.

The goods described in this data element must all be subject to the same Binding Tariff Information (BTI) reference number if held for the goods commodity code.

Where the commodity code to be used depends on size, weight or other physical criteria, the description should include that information.

If the goods described under each item do not comprise the whole contents of a package, container or trailer this should be made clear by adding the words ‘part case’, ‘part container’, ‘part trailer’ at the end of the description of the goods.

A description of the goods sufficiently precise enough to allow classification does not mean copying out the full description as set out in the tariff.

For example, ‘magnesium potassium sulphate’ (heading 3104 commodity code 310490000) should be described in those terms and not as ‘other mineral or chemical fertilisers, potassic’.

When the declarant provides the CUS code (DE 6/13) for chemical substances and preparations, a precise description of the goods may be waived.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to ‘an..280’.

DE 6/9 Type of Packages (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..2	NA	99x

All declaration categories

Enter the code specifying the type of package from the list in Appendix 18: DE 6/9: Package Type Codes.

The package type code of the smallest external packing unit is to be declared in accordance with UN/ECE recommendation 21.

The smallest external packaging is defined as being the one in which the goods are packaged in such a way that they cannot be divided without first undoing the packing.

If the goods are packaged in several packages of different types, the data element can be repeated up to 99 times for a single goods item.

Notes

Examples

For beer, the packaging might be the crate or carton and not the bottle in which the beer is contained, if the crate is the smallest external package type used.

If the goods are contained immediately within cartons contained on a pallet (for example, books), the pallet should be declared.

For a single consignment in one or a number of containers, the containers themselves can be deemed to be the outer packaging. If the goods are declared as packaged in containers, then the following details should be declared:

• package type Code (in DE 6/9 Package Type): CN
• quantity (in DE 6/10 (Number of packages) Number of Containers
• marks (in DE 6/11 Shipping Marks): Container numbers
• container numbers (in DE 7/10) Container Identification numbers.

In effect, in this example, the container number(s) will be the marks and need only be entered as container details but with reference to this entered in the shipping marks data element, for example ‘Package type CN – see container id details entered’.

Where the goods are subject to different duty or VAT rates for export refund purposes (for example mixtures of red and white wine or children and adults clothing) the lowest divisible level of packaging must be declared in order to aid identification. Thus, bottles, wrapping or other packaging will be more appropriate in these examples.

Bulk traffic

Use the appropriate package type for the bulk commodity from the list provided in Appendix 18: DE 6/9: Package Type Codes.

DE 6/10 Number of Packages (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	n..5	NA	99x

All declaration categories

Enter the total number of packages based on the smallest external packing unit.

This is the number of individual items packaged in such a way that they cannot be divided without first undoing the packing, or the number of pieces, if unpackaged.

If the goods are packaged in several packages of different type, the data element can be repeated up to 99 times for a single goods item.

For unpackaged goods, enter the number of pieces, except for bulk traffic, see below.

Bulk traffic

Enter the number of packages making up the consignment covered by the declaration. When goods are exported as loose bulk (for example, grain or oil) enter ‘1’.

For bulk consignments made through a fixed energy installation, enter a number of packages value of ‘0’.

For break bulk consignments (for example, timber/ cars), enter the number of separately (packaged) units (for example, bundles or each car).

For bulk traffic, enter ‘Loose Bulk’ or ‘Break Bulk’ in the shipping marks data element.

Combined packaging

If goods are packaged in such a way that goods belonging to more than one goods item are packaged together, then the actual number of these packages is entered on the first goods item and for the other goods items, the number of packages declared should be ‘0’.

For items which are packaged together the details entered (for each item) in:

• DE 6/9 (packaging type code) and
• DE 6/11 (shipping marks)

Must be identical for each item.

For example: item 1 and item 5 on the customs entry are packaged in a single carton:

• item 1 DE 6/9 CT (Carton) and item 5 DE 6/9 CT (Carton)
• item 1 DE 6/11 KEAX123456 and item 5 DE 6/11 KEAX123456

Notes

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to ‘n..5’.

DE 6/11 Shipping Marks (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..42	NA	99x

Declaration category B4

This data element is optional for declaration category B4.

For declaration category C1

This information need only be provided for packaged goods.

All declaration categories

Enter a free text description of any marks and numbers on transport units or packages.

Where there is one common identifying number for all of the packaging then only this number need be entered.

For unpackaged goods, enter ‘Unpackaged’.

Bulk traffic

For bulk traffic, enter ‘Loose Bulk’ or ‘Break Bulk’ in the shipping marks data element.

Notes

This data element may be used up to 99 times at item level.

Where goods are containerised, the container number can replace the shipping marks. It can be used as the reference number in both DE 6/11 (Shipping Marks) and DE 7/10 (Container Identification Number).

A UCR or references used in the transport document (which allow the unambiguous identification of all packages in the consignment) may also be used instead of the shipping marks.

If there is insufficient space to record all the information, create another set of package details with the same kind of packages type code.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to ‘an..42’.

DE 6/12 UN Dangerous Goods Code

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	an..4	NA	1x

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2):

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

All declaration categories

The UN dangerous goods code must be declared when applicable to the goods.

The codes are available on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Website, see the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations for details.

Notes

The United Nations Dangerous Goods identifier (UNDG) is the serial number assigned within the United Nations to substances and articles contained in a list of the dangerous goods most commonly carried.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to one Dangerous Goods Code per goods item.

DE 6/13 CUS Code for Chemicals (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an8	NA	1x

Declaration categories B2, B4 and C1

This data element is for optional use by the declarant.

All declaration categories

Where the goods concerned are subject to a TARIC measure in relation to a CUS code, the CUS code must be provided.

The provision of the CUS code is optional where no TARIC measure exists for the goods concerned.

Chemicals classified in chapters 28 and 29 of the UK Trade Tariff should be described using their precise chemical name and the appropriate 8-digit CUS reference number.

The CUS number is the identification number assigned to chemical products in the European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances (ECICS) database.

Where the chemical is not listed, the precise name in accordance with British Standard 2474/1983 and the words ‘not listed’ must be declared in DE 6/8 Description of Goods.

Notes

When the declarant provides the CUS code for chemical substances and preparations, a less specific description of goods may be used in DE 6/8 Description of Goods.

General commodity code notes

You can find information on and guidance on selecting the correct commodity codes in the UK Trade Tariff . The length of the codes varies according to the nature of the goods, and whether or not they are subject to any Tariff measure requirements.

The rules governing the location of commodity code digits in DE 6/14, 6/16 and 6/17 must be followed precisely.

The entry of a commodity code constitutes a legal declaration as to the nature and duty liability for the goods and is a core determinant of the export formalities and commercial policy measures to which the goods will be subjected.

The UK Trade Tariff, will identify any specific measures and document codes which may be required by the specific commodity code declared in DE 6/14, 6/16 and 6/17.

Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes contains details of all document and other reference codes, a description of their usage and provides guidance on the details to be declared against each code. See Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes to identify any specific completion requirements for any document codes which may be required by the commodity code.

Any BTI reference rumber held for the goods described is to be entered in DE 2/3, against Document Code C626 (see Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes).

Failure to declare the correct commodity code may render the legal declarant liable to penalties or other sanctions under the applicable legislation.

The following table should be used as a guide on how to complete the Commodity Code data elements:

DE	Commodity Code digit positions	All exports from outside the EU plus all exports from within the EU not in Free Circulation not requiring an additional code	Certain exports requiring an additional code (for example goods subject to variable charges; exemptions; certain anti-dumping duties or wine reference prices)
6/14	1-8	XXXXXXXX	XXXXXXXX
6/16	11-14		XXXX
6/17	15-18		XXXX

DE 6/14 Commodity Code – Combined Nomenclature Code (Box 33: Commodity Code)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..8	NA	1x

For declaration categories C1:

This data element is optional for all simplified declarations unless the movement is an indirect (re)export or the DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code specifies. See Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for details.

All declaration categories

Enter the Combined Nomenclature code number corresponding to the item in question.

Enter the first 8 digits of the code for the goods described in DE 6/8 Description of Goods as set out in the UK Trade Tariff. The code number should be selected in accordance with the directions of the UK Trade Tariff.

Notes

You can find information on and guidance on selecting the correct commodity codes in the UK Trade Tariff. The length of the codes varies according to the nature of the goods, and whether or not they are subject to any Tariff measure requirements.

DE 6/16 Commodity Code: TARIC Additional Code (Box 33: Commodity Code)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	an4	NA	99x

For declaration category C1

Where an additional code exists for the goods being declared, this data element is mandatory for indirect exports.

This data element is optional for direct exports unless otherwise stated in the Simplified Procedures authorisation or the DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code mandates its completion. See Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for details.

All declaration categories

Enter any additional code for the goods being declared as set out in the UK Trade Tariff. If no additional code is required, leave blank.

Notes

Up to 99 TARIC additional codes may be entered at item level.

You can find information on and guidance on selecting the correct commodity codes, including details of any additional TARIC codes which may apply, in the UK Trade Tariff. The length of the codes varies according to the nature of the goods, and whether or not they are subject to any Tariff measure requirements.

DE 6/17 National Additional Code (Box 33: Commodity Code)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	an4	NA	99x

For declaration category C1

Where an additional code exists for the goods being declared, this data element is mandatory for indirect exports.

This data element is optional for direct exports unless otherwise stated in the Simplified Procedures authorisation or the DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code mandates its completion. See Appendix 2: DE 1/11:
Additional Procedure Codes for details.

All declaration categories

Enter any additional code for the goods being declared as set out in the UK Trade Tariff. If no additional code is required, leave blank.

Notes

Up to 99 TARIC additional codes may be entered at item level.

You can find information on and guidance on selecting the correct commodity codes, including details of any additional TARIC codes which may apply, in the UK Trade Tariff. The length of the codes varies according to the nature of the goods, and whether or not they are subject to any Tariff measure requirements.

DE 6/17 National Additional Code (Box 33: Commodity Code)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..4	NA	99x

Where a National Additional Code applies to the goods, this data element is only required on a simplified declaration where the DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code states this. See Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for details.

All declaration categories

Enter any National Additional Code for the goods being declared as set out in Appendix 19: DE 6/17: National Additional Codes. If no National Additional Code is required, leave this data element blank.

Notes

Up to 99 National Additional Codes may be entered at item level.

The National Additional Codes will be used, in conjunction with information provided elsewhere in the declaration, to indicate any exemptions or reduced rates of taxes which may be applicable for national taxes and other charges (for example, VATZ to indicate the goods are being VAT zero rated at export).

The declaration of an additional code for an exemption or reduction in DE 6/17 constitutes a legal declaration that the claimant is eligible for the relief or exemption. An incorrect claim to an exemption or reduced rate may render the legal declarant liable to a demand for the relieved revenue and other sanctions or penalties under the applicable legislation.

You can find information on and guidance on selecting the correct commodity codes in the UK Trade Tariff. The length of the codes varies according to the nature of the goods, and whether or not they are subject to any Tariff measure requirements.

DE 6/18 Total Packages (Box 6: Total Packages)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1 and B2	n..7	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Enter the total number of packages making up the consignment covered by the declaration.

Bulk traffic

When goods are exported as loose bulk (for example, grain, oil) enter ‘1’.

For bulk consignments made through a fixed energy installation, enter a total packages value of ‘0’.

For break bulk consignments (for example, timber/ cars), enter the number of separately (packaged) units (for example, bundles or each car).

Notes

This data element is required to release goods off the inventory.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘n..7’.

Group 7: Transport information (modes, means and equipment)

DE 7/2 Container (Box 19: Container)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	n1	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Enter the appropriate Union code to indicate if the goods will be in a shipping container when crossing the external border of the Union, or will be in a shipping container when dispatched to a Special Fiscal Territory or Territory with which the EU has formed a Customs Union.

Enter:

‘0’ if the goods are not transported in containers.

‘1’ if the goods are transported in containers.

DE 7/4 Mode of Transport at the Border (Box 25: Mode of Transport at the Border)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n1	n1	NA

Additional declaration types Y or Z (DE 1/2):

Completion of this data element is mandatory for all supplementary declarations.

For declaration categories B1 or B2

Enter the mode of transport corresponding to the active means of transport which it is expected will be used on exit from the customs territory of the Union.

For declaration category B4

Enter the mode of transport which is expected will be used on dispatch to the Special Fiscal Territory or Territory with which the EU has formed a Customs Union.

All declaration categories

Enter the relevant Union code from the list below for the mode of transport used to arrive at the EU external border.

Mode of transport	Code
Maritime (Sea) transport	1
Rail transport	2
Road transport	3
Air transport	4
Postal (Mail) consignment (see below)	5
Fixed transport installations	7
Inland waterway transport	8
Mode unknown (for instance, own propulsion)	9

Notes

Code 5 should only be used for goods handled by the authorised postal operator which is governed by the Universal Postal Union – for instance, Royal Mail Group. The ‘actual’ mode of transport should be used for all other goods.

DE 7/5 Inland Mode of Transport (Box 26: Inland Mode of Transport)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1 and B2	n1	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Using the code list from DE 7/4 (Mode of Transport at the Border), enter the inland mode of transport.

This data element is mandatory when the goods declared for export using Entry in Declarant’s Records (EIDR), CSE, at a Designated Export Place (DEP), or at a Customs or Excise Warehouse.

This data element is not required when the export formalities are carried out at a border location, for example not required when the goods are first placed under customs supervision (declared to Customs) at a UK border location such as a port or airport.

DE 7/7 Identity of the means of transport at departure

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1 and B2	Type of identification: n2 + Identification number: an..27	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Completion of this data element is mandatory for all declarations except for those made for:

• goods transported by post (mode of transport code 5 declared in DE 7/4)
• goods transported by fixed transport installations (mode of transport code 7 declared in DE 7/4)

Enter the identity of the means of transport, where known, on which the goods are directly loaded at the time of export (or that of the vehicle propelling the others if there are several means of transport).

If a tractor and trailer with different registration numbers are used, enter the registration numbers of both parts, along with the nationality of the tractor.

This data element is made up of two components:

First Component: means of transport code (n2)

Enter the two-digit code appropriate to the means of transport to be declared from the list below:

Code	Description
10	IMO Ship identification number
11	Name of the seagoing vessel
20	Wagon number
30	Vehicle Registration Number of the Road Vehicle
40	IATA flight number
41	Registration Number of the Aircraft
80	European vessel identification number (ENI code)
81	Name of the inland waterway’s vessel

Second Component: transport identity details (an..27)

Using the table below, enter the required information relating to the mode of transport used:

Mode of Transport Used	Details to be declared
Sea and inland waterway transport	Name of vessel
Air transport	Number and date of the flight. Where there is no flight number, enter the Aircrafts Registration Number
Road transport	Vehicle Registration Number
Rail transport	Rail Wagon Number

Notes

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), the second component of this data element is restricted to ‘an..27’.

If the goods are being declared for export using Entry in Declarant’s Records (EIDR), Customs Supervised Exports (CSE), at a DEP, or at a Customs or Excise Warehouse, enter the identity of the means of transport on which the goods are loaded for dispatch to the border.

If exact details are not available when the declaration is lodged, unknown may be entered, but details must be entered later. This can be done prior to re-arrival at the border using standard amendment procedures or use of the C81/ C1221 procedure as appropriate if the goods have already been departed from the EU.

DE 7/10 Container Identification Number (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2, B4 and C1	an..17	9999x	9999x

All declaration categories

Leave this data element blank if the goods are not containerised or if it is not known whether they are containerised.

Enter the marks (letters and/or numbers) which identify the transport container.

Complete this data element if the goods:

• will be in a container at the point of leaving the EU, enter the container number(s)
• are containerised but the container number(s) are not yet known (for example on a pre-lodged declaration), then enter ‘number(s) unknown’. If the exact details are not available when the declaration is lodged, unknown may be entered, but the details must be entered later. This can be done prior to arrival at the border using standard amendment procedures

To avoid duplication, the container number need only be declared at header level where all items are to be shipped in a single container.

Where items on the declaration are packed into different containers, DE 7/10 will need to show individual container numbers at item level.

On paper declarations precede the (list of) container numbers by CN% or, for part containers, by Part Container%, and separate each container number by a comma, for example Part Container%ABCU12345, BCDU234567, WXYU98765.

Air transport

In the air mode, containers are special boxes to carry freight, strengthened and allowing horizontal or vertical transfers.

Swap bodies and semi-trailers

In the context of this data element, the swap bodies and semi-trailers used for road and rail transport shall be considered as containers.

If applicable, for containers covered by the standard ISO 6346, the identifier (prefix) allocated by the International Bureau of Containers and Intermodal Transport (BIC) shall also be provided in addition to the container identification number.

For swap bodies and semi-trailers, the ILU (Intermodal Loading Units) code as introduced by the European EN 13044 standard shall be used.

Modes of transport other than air

For modes of transport other than air, a container is a special box to carry freight, strengthened and stackable and allowing horizontal or vertical transfers.

Notes

Refer to DE 6/9 for package type codes and the UN/ECE Recommendation 21 on package types which includes definitions of containers.

The term container covers:

• large, re-usable containers, for example, ISO types designed to be transported by road, rail, sea, or air
• smaller re-usable types of containers of an internal volume of a cubic metre or more designed to be transported by road, rail, sea or air and capable of specialized handling without unloading
• specialized re-usable containers designed to be used for the particular goods and transported by road, rail, sea or air
• goods are to be regarded as containerised even when a container is mounted on a road vehicle or rail wagon

DE 7/14 Identity of active means of transport crossing the border (Box 21 – identity and nationality of the active means of transport crossing the border)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B3	Type of identification: n2+ Identification number: an..35	1x	NA

All declaration categories

Completion of this data element is required for all declarations except for those made for:

• goods transported by post
• goods transported by fixed transport installations

Enter the identity of the active means of transport (to be) used for crossing the Union’s external border, where known.

This data element is made up of two components:

First Component: means of transport code (n2)

Enter the two-digit code appropriate to the means of transport to be declared from the list below:

Code	Description
10	IMO Ship identification number
11	Name of the seagoing vessel
20	Wagon number
30	Vehicle registration number
40	IATA flight number
41	Aircrafts registration number
80	European vessel identification number (ENI code)
81	Name of the inland waterway’s vessel

Second component: transport identity details (an..35)

Using the table below, enter the required information relating to the mode of transport used:

Mode of transport used	Details to be declared
Sea and inland waterway transport	Name of vessel
Air transport	Number and date of the flight. Where there is no flight number, enter the aircrafts registration number
Road transport	Vehicle registration number
Rail transport	Rail wagon

Notes

In the case of combined transport or where several means of transport are used, the active means of transport is the one which propels the whole combination.

For example, in the case of a lorry on a seagoing vessel, the active means of transport is the ship. In the case of a tractor and trailer, the active means of transport is the tractor.

If exact details are not available when the declaration is lodged, unknown may be entered, but details must be entered later.

This can be done prior to re-arrival at the frontier using standard amendment procedures or use of the C1221 procedure as appropriate if the goods have already finally departed from the EU.

DE 7/15 Nationality of active means of transport crossing the border (Box 21 – identity and nationality of the active means of transport crossing the border nationality)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1 and B2	a2	1x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is not required where codes DE 7/4 (mode of transport at the border) is completed with 2 (rail transport), 5 (postal consignments) or 7 (fixed transport installation).

Using the relevant country code (see Appendix 13: Country Codes), enter the nationality of the active means of transport crossing the Union’s external border.

Enter the nationality of the active means of transport crossing the border, except:

• in the case of ships or aircraft registered in the colonies or dependencies of a foreign country, enter the nationality of that country
• in the case of ships or aircraft registered in the UK’s dependent territories, enter the nationality of that territory

Notes

In the case of combined transport or where several means of transport are used, the active means of transport is the one which propels the whole combination. For example, in the case of a lorry on a sea-going vessel, the active means of transport is the ship. In the case of a tractor and trailer, the active means of transport is the tractor.

On paper declarations: enter the transport identity followed, if required, by the transport nationality, separated by a dash (-).

DE 7/18: Seal number (ex-Box D)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and C1	Number of seals: n..4 + Seal identifier: an..20	No. of seals: 1x Seal identifier: 9999x	NA

This data element is only required on a combined EXS and pre- departure declaration.

Additional Declaration type Y and Z (DE 1/2)

This data element is not required on a supplementary declaration.

All declaration categories

Enter the total number of seals used, followed by the individual seal identification numbers (where applicable).

Group 8: Other data elements (statistical data, guarantees and Tariff related data)

DE 8/2 Guarantee type and cash accounts (Box 44 and Box 52: Guarantee)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B4 and C1	Guarantee type: an1	9x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is only required for goods moving under excise duty suspense.

Where an excise guarantee is required to secure the movement of the goods in excise suspense, enter code ‘X’ to state an excise guarantee is held and being used to secure this movement.

DE 8/3 Guarantee Reference (Box 52: Guarantee)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B4 and C1	GRN: an..24 OR Other guarantee reference: an..35 + Access code: an..4 + Currency code: a3 + Amount of import or export duty and, where Article 89(2) first subparagraph of the Code applies, other charges: n..16,2 + Customs office of guarantee: an8	99x	NA

All declaration categories

This data element is only required for goods moving under excise duty suspense.

Enter the reference number of the excise guarantee.

DE 8/5 Nature of transaction (Box 24: Nature of transaction)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n..2	1x	1x

For declaration category B4

This information shall only be required in the case of commercial transactions dispatching goods to a territory which is not part of the Member State of export. For example, goods declared for export in the UK, dispatched to a French Special Fiscal Territory, Réunion.

All declaration categories

Enter the relevant code for type of transaction concerned, using the Union codes and headings from the table below.

Enter, a 2-digit code (second digit is optional), comprising a single-digit code from column:

• A – mandatory
• B – optional

A (Mandatory)	B (Optional)
1. Transactions involving actual or intended transfer of ownership from residents to non-residents against financial or other compensation (except the transactions listed under 2, 7, 8)	1. Outright purchase/sale 2. Supply for sale on approval or after trial, for consignment or with the intermediation of a commission agent 3. Barter trade (compensation in kind) 4. Financial leasing (hire-purchase) (*) 9. Other
2. Return and replacement of goods free of charge after registration of the original transaction	1. Return of goods 2. Replacement for returned goods 3. Replacement (for example, under warranty) for goods not being returned 9. Other
3. Transactions involving transfer of ownership without financial or in-kind compensation (for example, aid shipments)
4. Operations with a view to processing (**) under contract (no transfer of ownership to the processor)	1. Goods expected to return to the initial country of export 2. Goods not expected to return to the initial country of export
5. Operations following processing under contract (no transfer of ownership to the processor)	1. Goods returning to the initial country of export 2. Goods not returning to the initial country of export
6. Particular transactions recorded for national purposes
7. Operations under joint defence projects or other joint intergovernmental production programmes
8. Transactions involving the supply of building materials and technical equipment under a general construction or civil engineering contract for which no separate invoicing of the goods is required and an invoice for the total contract is issued
9. Other transactions which cannot be classified under other codes	1. Hire, loan, and operational leasing longer than 24 months 9. Other

(*) Financial leasing covers operations where the lease instalments are calculated in such a way as to cover all or virtually all of the value of the goods. The risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the lessee. At the end of the contract the lessee becomes the legal owner of the goods.

(**) Processing covers operations (transformation, construction, assembling, enhancement, renovation …) with the objective of producing a new or really improved item. This does not necessarily involve a change in the product classification. Processing activities on a processor’s own account are not covered by this item and should be registered under item 1 of column A.

Notes

One instance of DE 8/5 can be entered at header and item level.

For paper declarations:

• the code from column A must be entered in the left-hand side of the data element
• the code from column B (if declared) should be entered in the right-hand side of the data element

DE 8/6 Statistical value (Box 46: Statistical value)

Declaration Categories	Field format	No. of occurrences at header level	No. of occurrences at item level
B1, B2 and B4	n..15,2	NA	1x

All declaration categories

This data element is mandatory unless the DE 1/11 Additional Procedure Code specifies otherwise. See Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes for details.

Enter the statistical value for the goods item in GBP (£ sterling), irrespective of the currency used in DE 4/10 (Invoice Currency).

Notes

The statistical value is the approximate theoretical value of the goods at the time and place where they leave the territory of the Member State in which they were located at the time of release into the customs procedure (‘exporting Member State’). The statistical value is to relate to this Member State.

Therefore, the statistical value consists of the (intrinsic) value of the goods and the incurred or calculated cost for transport and insurance from their point of the transport related departure to the point of exit from this Member State.

To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘n..15,2’. Value of the goods

Statistical value is based on the value of the goods:

• value of the goods shall be the customs value, where it is determined (Title II, Chapter 3 of UCC ‘VALUE OF GOODS FOR CUSTOMS PURPOSES’)
• where a customs value is not determined, the value of the goods shall be;
  • the cost of the goods to the purchaser abroad or
  • if there is no sale, the price the goods would reasonably have fetched if sold to a a non-related buyer and seller abroad

It should include packing, inland and coastal transport in the UK, dock dues, loading charges and all other costs, profits, charges and expenses.

For example:

To be included:

• insurance and commission accrued up to the point where the goods are deposited on board the exporting vessel or aircraft.

To be excluded:

• outward sea or air freight and marine or air insurance
• any cash or trade discounts to the purchaser abroad should be deducted.
• any national taxes for example, VAT, Excise and similar levies where they are not included in the price actually paid or payable or not borne by the trading partner/ purchaser.
• agricultural export refunds.

Other costs

The statistical value must include only ancillary charges. These are the actual or calculated costs for transport and, if they are incurred, for insurance, but covering only that part of the journey which is within the statistical territory of the exporting Member State.

If transport or insurance costs are not known, they are to be assessed reasonably on the basis of costs usually incurred or payable for such services (considering especially, if known the different modes of transport).

Other costs beyond the exporting Member State

If the total overall ancillary charges cover a transport journey beyond the border of the exporting Member State, for example, under ‘CIF final destination’) these costs must be split up accordingly for example, on a kilometre pro rata basis.

Other costs relating to more than one item on the export declaration

If the ancillary charges relate to several items on an export declaration, the respective ancillary costs for each individual item must be calculated on a relevant pro rata basis, for example, kg or volume.

Statistical value in the case of processing (Export)

This applies only where the commercial transaction is not a sales contract but a contract for service (the ‘processing’ contract).

Re-exports after inward processing

For goods which leave the Union after having undergone processing, the statistical value must be established by taking the value of the previously imported unprocessed goods plus the value added in the Union during the processing.

Exports for outward processing

For goods which are to temporarily leave the Union for processing, the statistical value must be established by taking the value at the time of export of the unprocessed good.

Use the specific Procedure Code completion notes in Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes` for more details.

Currency conversion

The Statistical Value must be expressed in the national currency of the Member State where the customs declaration is lodged. Values which are, for example, on documents, expressed in another currency (for example, invoiced currency of the goods), need to be converted.

The rate of exchange to be used is the rate applicable at the time the customs declaration is accepted, and according to Union customs provisions on currency conversion relating to the determination of the customs value (Article 146 UCC-IA).